20 years after Matthew’s tragic death, there is so much more work to be done! Homophobia is real, destructive and flourishing.

Tent of Abraham

This column was originally written and published on October 12, 2011.  I will re-publish it every year on October 12

Thirteen years ago today, Matthew Shepard died because he was gay.  Matthew was taken from this world by Aaron McKinney and Russel Henderson who had offered to give him a ride home from Fireside Lounge in Laramie, Wyoming.  But they didn’t take Matthew home.  Aaron and Russel drove to remote rural area where they tied Matthew to a fence, pistol whipped him; tortured him; tormented him for God knows how long.  When they were done expressing their hate for who he was, they left him there to die.

He was found in a coma the next day.  Matthew Shepard died from severe head trauma, 6 days late on October 12, 1998.  Mckinney and Henderson were both found guilty of first degree murder.  Matthew Shepard’s family did not want anyone else…

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