With the tenth anniversary of Matthew Shepard’s death approaching, the University of Wyoming’s president and Matthew’s parents dedicated a bench on the campus to Matthew’s memory. The plaque on the bench reads: “Matthew Wayne Shepard, December 1, 1976 – October 12, 1998. Beloved son, brother, and friend. He continues to make a difference. Peace be with him and all who sit here.”
The story in the Wyoming Tribune-Eagle indicates that things have improved at the University of Wyoming since Matthew’s death, with a Rainbow Resource Center and Center for Social Justice there now, but that there is still a long way to go. The comments to the story are prime evidence of this, as three of the five readers provided supportive comments and the other two were openly hostile.
-Tony Infanti
