Matthew Shepherd Died Almost Ten Years Ago, Has Anything Changed?

The two men that killed Matthew Shepherd are in prison. Has the nation changed in those ten years? MSNBC reports

"We've learned a lot, we've talked a lot; we do it in public forums now," Judy Shepard said at a ceremony dedicating a bench to her son, Matthew Shepard. "So it's a wonderful tribute to Matt that these kinds of things are discussed."

For five days after being beaten Matthew Shepherd clung to life. On October 12, 1998 he lost his battle. He was just 21. He was as a friend said a young man that stood up for the acceptance of people's differences. In the United States those of alternative sexual orientation still face homophobic people who wish them harm. In March a 17-year-old in Athens, Georgia was beaten and verbally gay-bashed by boys that he knew. A young boy was assassinated in his school's cafeteria for being gay this year. He was an eighth grader and declared brain dead on Feb. 13.. The Washington Blade reports:

“I think if you ask the average American, they think Matthew Shepard was the last person killed in this country for being gay,” said Kevin Jennings, executive director of the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN), a national group that focuses on gay issues in schools. “Unfortunately, that’s not the case.”

Elke Kennedy knows that. Her 20-year-old son Sean was attacked on May 16, 2007 was attacked by a man calling him a "faggot." That man beat Kennedy's son so badly that his brain separated from the brain stem.

“California has hate crimes laws, but that’s still not going to prevent this from happening because people are still taught to hate and that it’s OK,” Kennedy said. “I want parents to know that they’re the ones that are responsible for teaching their children to hate. I believe it starts at home.”

In the 10 years that have passed since Shepherd died over 50 young people have by murdered because they were gay. Still the FBI does not track those murders. While some of these act are classified as hate crimes most are not. Over 54 per cent of these murders remain unsolved as compared with 31 per cent of homicides nationally.

Aggression and violence have become acceptable ways of policing gender performance and punishing the transgression of gender boundaries in American culture," states Michael Kimmel, professor of sociology at Stony Brook (N.Y.) University. "These deaths were often the result of young men using lethal violence to enforce standards of masculinity on other young males who didn't meet cultural expectations of masculinity--especially when they were transgender or gay"

Some things though have changed. The University of Wyoming took to heart the task of changing attitudes after Matthew Shepherd's death. They have established an annual social justice symposium named after the slain man. There is now a resource center to support gays, lesbians, bisexuals and others. It's a start.

"Through our actions, we will continue to demonstrate that diversity and inclusion are core values at UW," Buchanan said. "Just as we live with the loss of Matt, we live every day at UW committed to the ideal that we treat all with dignity and respect. A memorial bench can serve as a reminder of that commitment, but we must continue to work hard to make it a reality."

The bench sits outside the arts and sciences building. Hopefully the words etched on the structure will stay with those who sit there and enjoy the peace of the moment.

"Matthew Wayne Shepard Dec. 1, 1976-Oct. 12, 1998. Beloved son, brother, and friend. He continues to make a difference. Peace be with him and all who sit here."