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Twenty years ago today, Matthew Shepard was taken from a bar, robbed, beaten, and tied to a fence. His killers left him to die without remorse or conscience because he was gay.
THE REMAINS OF a gay US college student whose murder became a symbol of homophobic violence will be interred at Washington National Cathedral 20 years after his death.
Matthew Shepard was kidnapped, robbed and beaten in 1998, then left to die strapped to a ranch fence in Laramie, Wyoming.
The 21-year-old hung on the fence for 18 hours until two passing cyclists found him. His death five days later in a Colorado hospital triggered a national outcry.
“He was 21 years old, which means he’s been gone almost as long as we had the pleasure of having him in our lives,” said Shepard’s family.
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Scores of mourners attended his funeral but it was picketed by homophobic protesters.
As a result, his parents did not choose a final resting place for his ashes, concerned it would be desecrated, according to US media reports.
A cross of stones at the fence where Matthew Shepard was killed. AP / PA Images
AP / PA Images / PA Images
But on 26 October, Shepard will be interred at the Episcopal Church’s Washington National Cathedral in a private ceremony following a public remembrance service.
“Join the cathedral as we host a service of thanksgiving and remembrance for Matthew Shepard, whose brutal death in 1998 shocked the world, grieved the church and mobilized the LGBTQ movement,” the cathedral said on its website.
In 2009, the US congress approved legislation named after Shepard bolstering prosecution of “hate crimes” committed because of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability.
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Very brave lady and best wishes to you. Can’t help but think it would send an even stronger message if he was locked up for the full sentence and none of this early release good behavior B.S
@Marc Murphy: yes .. I think that good lady will be fearful of his release , as anyone would be . Wouldn’t think he will be welcomed into the prison or when he is released though.
@The Divils Avocado: Coercive control does not always include physical abuse and only men as perpetrators. We are decades behind other Western countries understanding or addressing that.
The Victim is the real hero in this story. To be put under that kind of abuse and threat and still go to the Authorities and fight him is absolutely awesome. Kudos to you. You Deserve all the happiness in the world.
Great for the courts and Gardai to back her up as well, it’s a fantastic day for Justice in Ireland.
My comment earlier got deleted – I assume because I said “Thank you, Laura Richards!” Laura is not the poor lady who survived the attacks. Laura Richards is former Scotland Yard and it is she who works with police and governments around the world, including Northern Ireland and us here, to educate and change / bring in laws in cases of coercive control and stalking. Check her out! https://www.laurarichards.co.uk/about-me/. The lady in this case is very brave. I wish her a continued recovery. I also hope her bravery will help others in similar situations make a life saving decision and seek help.
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