Imagine being beaten to death for being different....

Matthew Shepard (December 1, 1976 – October 12, 1998) was an American student at the University of Wyoming who was brutally attacked near Laramie, because he was gay, on the night of October 6 – October 7, 1998. He was robbed, repeatedly pistol whipped, tortured, tied to a fence in a remote, out in a rural area, and left to die. Shepard died from severe head injuries at Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins, Colorado, on October 12. His murder brought national attention to the issue of hate crime legislation at the state and federal levels.

His two assailants, Russell Henderson and Aaron McKinney, were convicted of the crime and imprisoned. Henderson is currently serving two consecutive life sentences and McKinney is serving the same but without the possibility of parole.  Henderson and McKinney were not charged with a hate crime,  as no Wyoming criminal statute provided for such a charge. The disturbing and brutal nature of Matthew Shepard's murder prompted calls for new legislation addressing hate crime, urged particularly by those who believed that Shepard was targeted on the basis of his sexual orientation. Under current United States federal law and Wyoming state law, crimes committed on the basis of sexual orientation are not prosecutable as hate crimes. Isn't something wrong here?

Guess what? After years of fighting and pushing and lobbying -  Congress has just dropped the Matthew Shepard hate crimes bill! This legislation is vital! We should all be extremely disappointed and angry over this outrage! I am in shock after all of our hard work to get this passed! We must protest loudly!
Call, fax, email, and snail mail your US Senators and Congressmen and protest the dropping of the Matthew Shepard Hate crimes act! Demand they re-introduce it and pass it as a stand alone bill in this session if they want your vote in the next election for their seat!! Pass this on to everyone in your address book. Get contact information at www.congress.org - put in your zip code, find your representative and send him a short note expressing your feelings on the Matthew Shepard Act.

His parents  Judy and Dennis Shepard  said, “We are truly dismayed to find that Congress now will put aside its leadership on passage of federal hate crimes legislation that includes sexual orientation and gender identity.

“At this time of year that fills us all with hope for humankind, we are sad to find that a Congressional majority of each House who have already adopted the Matthew Shepard Act cannot yet come together. 

“Make no mistake; this is a small triumph of process over principle.  We are dedicated to redoubling our efforts next year to achieve our vision of a hate-free America that truly includes everyone.  This has never simply been about Matthew Shepard and our family, this legislation is a gift delayed but never forgotten for all America’s families.

“We thank our friends, allies and champions in Washington and around the world who have struggled so hard this year.  We know that we will unite once again next year to achieve passage of this milestone human rights legislation.”

The Matthew Shepard Foundation recently announced the launch of MatthewsPlace.com, a comprehensive online resource for LGBTQ youth in America. - Designed with a great deal of youth involvement, MatthewsPlace.com features up-to-date national and LGBT news, advice columns from notable voices and affirming resources on issues affecting LGBTQ youth, and an information hub for youth to access critical resources such as safe and inclusive direct-service providers, homeless shelters, and youth-serving organizations. This is the first of three phases of Matthew’s Place. In the coming year, the website will expand to include more interactive and cutting edge elements such as blogging, moderated chats, expanded ‘ask the experts’ section, and individual youth spaces.

It's been almost 10 years...and I still cry everytime I read his story.

PLEASE, I URGE YOU, PLEASE HELP WITH THIS FIGHT!