Judy Shepard to Give Talk at Holy Cross

WORCESTER, Mass. – Judy Shepard, whose 21-year old son, Matthew, was murdered in a gay hate crime in Laramie, Wyo., in 1998, will give a talk titled “The Legacy of Matthew Shepard” on Feb. 6 at 7:30 p.m. in the Hogan Campus Center Ballroom at the College of the Holy Cross. The talk is free and open to the public.

Shepard regularly speaks to audiences nationwide about what they can do to make their schools and communities safer for everyone, regardless of their race, sex, religion, or sexual orientation.

Since her son’s death, Shepard has testified before the U.S. Senate’s Judiciary Committee in support of hate crimes legislation and has appeared in public service television announcements aimed at curbing anti-gay violence and promoting a greater understanding of gay issues. She also has become active in the organization, Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), and the Shepard family has established the Matthew Shepard Foundation (www.matthewshepard.org) to carry on Matthew’s personal interest in social justice.

The event is sponsored by ABiGaLe (Association of Bisexuals, Gays, and Lesbians), Allies, Chaplains’ Office, Holy Cross’ “Hate: Not Here!” campaign, Student Affairs office, and Student Government Association.