Today In History: Before Matthew Shepard (10 years ago tonight)

[FreeState]

http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2008/10/06/3291

Today In History: Before Matthew Shepard
Jim Burroway

October 6th, 2008

Ten years ago today, the world had never heard of Matthew Shepard. That’s because up until ten years ago today, he was just another 21-year-old gay college student at the University of Wyoming in Laramie.

Well, not just another college student. He had attended two years of high school at the American School in Switzerland during the time his family moved temporarily to Saudi Arabia. He had a particular talent for learning languages and he had a special love for community theater. In college, he was active in the university’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered Association, and he was chosen as a student representative to the Wyoming Environmental Council. Friends described him as easy, outgoing, and approachable, with a special gift of relating to almost everyone.

And yet, he really was just another college kid. His mother, Judy Shepard, says he was ”just living his life as a 21-year-old college student who smoked too much, drank too much and didn’t study enough.”

But ten years ago today proved to be Matthew’s last full day as an ordinary college student.....

http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2008/10/06/3291


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RIP Matthew - your life changed my life for ever - you will never be forgotten.

[polichick]

1. What happened to Matthew broke my heart - love to him and his family.

[FreeState]

2. I was the co-president of the college club when it happened

(This is in Utah) I remember the woman in charge of student services waving me down to let me know what happened. She was very supportive. We called an emergency meeting with campus police and the student body government to help student.

The next day I received an anonymous letter wanting to meet with someone - I gave it to campus police. I walked around campus with my cell phone ready to call 911 for weeks. I got prank calls on my land line and had to change my locks on my doors. I had "faggot" written on my car while it was parked at an LDS meeting house.

Scary times - but I can not even begin to imagine how scary and lonely it is for his family.

[polichick]

3. I'm sorry you've had things like that happen...

Sometimes it's excrutiating to be an American ~ there are so many throwbacks in this country!