The story of Matthew Shepard is a tragic and eye-opening account of a young man’s life cut short by a brutal hate crime. On October 6, 1998, Shepard, a 21-year-old gay student at the University of Wyoming, was lured away from a Laramie bar by two men who pretended to be interested in him. They drove him to a remote area, where they robbed him, beat him severely, and left him tied to a fence to die. Shepard was found 18 hours later by a bicyclist and died six days later from his injuries.
Shepard’s murder sent shockwaves across the nation and sparked a national conversation about hate crimes and anti-LGBTQ+ violence. His story has been told in books, films, and documentaries, and his legacy continues to inspire activists and advocates working to end hate crimes and create a more just and equitable society.
