| February
17, 2003 Matthew
Shepard's mom speaks out about hate crime  Judy
Shepard, the mother of hate crime victim Matthew Shepard, will speak out about
gay and lesbian equality and how to prevent hate crimes at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday,
March 12 in the California State University, Sacramento, University Union Ballroom.
Her talk, "The Legacy of Matthew Shepard," is free and open to the public.
Her
son, an openly gay 21-year-old student at the University of Wyoming in Laramie,
died in October 1998 after being tied to a fence, robbed, beaten, burned and left
for dead in a hate crime that inspired rallies and vigils across the nation. In
response, Judy Shepard and her husband, Dennis, established the Matthew Shepard
Foundation to support educational projects and activities that raise awareness
of issues involving discrimination and diversity.
The foundation champions
causes that Matthew Shepard embraced, including working for gay and lesbian equality
and helping to prevent hate crimes. Judy Shepard is the executive director of
the foundation and travels nationally explaining what people can do to make their
communities and schools safe for everyone regardless of race, ethnicity, gender,
religion or sexual orientation.
For more information, call (916) 278-6997.
Media assistance is available from CSUS public affairs at (916) 278-6156.
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