This June, as we gather with Pride and approach the 25th anniversary of the launch of the Foundation, we ask that you join us in remembering Matt and sharing his legacy with your friends, family and neighbors.
Twenty years ago today, Matthew Shepard was taken from a bar, robbed, beaten, and tied to a fence. His killers left him to die without remorse or conscience because he was gay.
This crime was the impetus for the Foundation and we have been working to
#EraseHate
for two decades.
On this day, 21 years ago, Matthew Shepard died, becoming the victim of one of the most notorious anti-gay hate crimes in this nationโs history.
Today, we challenge you to not grieve for Matt, but instead celebrate his legacy by taking action.
Learn how:
Itโs been 20 years. My heart still breaks for Matthew Shepard. It breaks for every young boy or young girl whose life is cut short because of who they are. I will never stop fighting for them.
MSF is excited to announce that
@RandyRainbow
will be honored as a 2022 Making a Difference Award honoree. Randy Rainbow (yes, thatโs his real name) is a New York Times best-selling author and Emmy nominated American comedian.
For Gala tix or info visit
Thank you for sharing your remembrances of Matt over the past few days. Your support is truly essential in helping to find light during a dark time.
#EraseHate
โWe at the Foundation are devastated to hear the news about our dear friend Leslie Jordan. He was a past honoree of our Making a Difference Award in 2009 and recently joined us again in 2020. I am sure we arenโt the only folks heartbroken to hear of his passing...
Time is running out to get your Bear to Make a Difference gala tickets and participate in our auction โ you could take home a Baby Taylor guitar signed by seven-time Grammy winner
@taylorswift13
! ๐ธโค๏ธ๐
Help us
#EraseHate
and get your tix today:
Twenty years ago today, Matthew Shepard succumbed to his injuries caused by one of the most atrocious anti-gay hate crimes in history.
He was 21 years old, which means he's been gone almost as long as we had the pleasure of having him in our lives.
Join us in supporting the Matthew Shepard US Postage Stamp Campaign, advocating for the establishment of a commemorative US Postage Forever Stamp featuring Mattโs image. Learn more and sign the petition at
At the school where Karen Pence works, job applicants must sign a pledge against homosexual activity, transgender identity and โother violation of the unique roles of male and female.โ
Although two decades have passed since Mattโs death, we know his story still has the power to change hearts and minds.
We ask you to stand with the Matthew Shepard Foundation and take action today:
#EraseHate
Thank you,
@senmarkey
&
@joekennedy
! It's high time for gay panic defense to be illegal.
โThese defenses have no place in either our society or justice system and should be legislated out of existence."
Kim Davis, the anti-LGBTQ Kentucky clerk who refused to validate same-sex marriage certificates in 2015, is on the verge of losing her reelection bid.
#ElectionNight
Something that is often lost in Matthew's story is that he was HIV+ at the time of his murder. Tomorrow is World AIDS Day. We cannot erase hate until we end stigma for those living with HIV.
#WorldAIDSDay
#EraseHate
We are thrilled to honor trailblazing actor and activist
@wcruz73
with this year's Making a Difference Award!
For Bear to Make a Difference Gala tickets and info:
As we prepare to celebrate the holidays with our families, both biological and chosen, we ask that you join us in remembering the five lives lost at Club Q in Colorado Springs, CO one year ago.
Today we honor Matt on what would have been his 47th birthday and we celebrate
#WorldAIDSDay
by highlighting people living with HIV and remembering those who lost their lives to AIDS.
Thanks to the 640 amazing supporters who joined us in Denver for the 2023 Gala commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Matthew Shepard Foundation, we raised $579K in efforts to Erase Hate. Special thanks to our honorees:
@theebillyporter
,
@Chasten
, and
@bafproject
!
#EraseHate
We are relieved and pleased to know that Matt's final resting place will be among other American heroes and dignitaries.
It's exactly where he belongs.
.
@HRC
Foundation is honored to present longtime allies and
#LGBTQ
advocates Judy and Dennis Shepard with the Upstander Award for their tireless advocacy after their son Matthewโs horrific murder 20 years ago.
#TimeToTHRIVE
Judy and Dennis discuss 25 years of working to make the world a safer place for the LGBTQ+ community, the work still to be done in fighting anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and bias, and why you should run for office:
Thank you to those who have shared their stories, remembrances and sympathies in the last few days. As you join us in remembering Matthew today, we ask that you support the Matthew Shepard Foundation with a financial gift that allows us to continue to change hearts and minds,...
Tomorrow, Matthew Shepard would have been 42 years old. Below, please see a message from our Executive Director Jason Marsden, who was a personal friend of Matt's.
.
@Chasten
on the murder of Matthew Shepard: โI remember how much of a story it was and it sort of showed me from a very young age, โthis is what happens to gay people in this country.โ โฆ So it scared me from a very young age.โ
#PostLive
Please join us today in sharing a brief moment of love and remembrance, on what would have been Matthewโs 43rd birthday.
And please join us tomorrow for the Matthew Shepard memorial plaque dedication, streaming live from the Washington National Cathedral:
Today, Dec 1, would have been Mattโs 44th birthday. Our work is an extension of his passion to foster a more caring & just world.
Today is also
#GivingTuesday
, and donations of $50 or more will be matched $1-for-$1 up to $10,000.
Donate to
#EraseHate
:
This week, we're forced to reflect on the passage of time. It's been 20 years since we lost Matt, and while that grief never goes away, the work that has been done in his name keeps us going. Thank you for sharing our story,
@OutFrontMag
.
#EraseHate
#MSF20
Judy, Dennis and the staff of Matthew Shepard Foundation wish you a holiday filled with light and love. Thank you for your dedicated support throughout the year, and into the new year. There is a lot of work to do. You can donate here:
Many of Mattโs childhood possessions now belong among other incredible artifacts from American history at the
@Smithsonian
. They will be preserved forever.
#MSF20
#EraseHate
We are proud to confirm that the
@smithsonian
will be taking Matthew's things. He and his things finally will be safe for eternity -- something that was not a reality while he was alive.
While past studies have focused on the importance of parents who accept their LGBTQ children, this new
@TrevorProject
report goes father, finding out that any supportive adult can make a difference:
Before we gather tonight in Denver to raise critical funds for our next 25 years of working to Erase Hate in honor of Mattโs legacy, please take a few moments to listen as Judy and Dennis reflect on the first 25 years of the Matthew Shepard Foundation.
Tomorrow, Matthew Shepard would have been 42 years old. Below, please see a message from our Executive Director Jason Marsden, who was a personal friend of Matt's.
Trans people are not a burden.
Trans people are not a burden.
Trans people are not a burden.
Trans people are not a burden.
Trans people are not a burden.
Trans people are not a burden.
Trans people are not a burden.
Trans people are not a burden.
Trans people are not a burden.
Trans people are not a burden.
Trans people are not a burden.
Trans people are not a burden.
Trans people are not a burden.
Trans people are not a burden.
Trans people are not a burden.
Trans people are not a burden.
Trans people are not a burden.
Trans people are not a burden.
โI think that this is a moment in time ... people will wake up and go, โThis is really not what I want my country to be.' But in the meantime, itโs hurting kids, especially trans kids and gay kids. And yes, so that, that worries me ...โ
Virginia lawmakers passed a bill that will ban the use of a personโs perceived or actual sexual orientation or gender identity as a defense in court. Thank you to all involved, particularly the leadership of
@pwcdanica
@LGBTBar
in this effort.
#EraseHate
Today we remember the 438 trans people who have passed away in 2023.
See the eulogy and full list of individuals gathered by The National Center for
@TransEquality
:
ICYMI: This is unacceptable. โPresident Donald Trump's solicitor general told the Supreme Court Tuesday that businesses should be able to hang a sign in their window that announces they won't serve LGBT customers.โ
Send โค๏ธ today to those who are out and proud.
Send โค๏ธ today to those who are unable to come out.
Send โค๏ธ today to those who are still figuring it all out.
Erase Hate.
Send โค๏ธ today on National Coming Out Day.
#EraseHate
#NationalComingOutDay
Today is International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia. From lack of civil rights protections to continued criminalization in some countries, LGBTQ+ individuals face hate and oppression all around the world.
#IDAHOTB
Our 2022 Spirit of Matthew Award recipient is
@zandermoricz
, a key plaintiff in the โDonโt Say Gayโ lawsuit against Governor DeSantis and the state of Florida.
Join us in honoring Zander on October 8th at the 2022 MSF Gala in Denver, CO. Get tickets at
.
@HRC
is proud to honor longtime LGBTQ allies Judy and Dennis Shepard with the Upstander Award for their tireless advocacy work at our Time to THRIVE Conference in February.
Register now at .
#OTD
in 2009, President Obama signed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act โ a law that added federal protections against crimes based on gender, disability, gender identity, or sexual orientation.
Forever thankful that the Shepards never gave up.
Katie Couric was the first to interview Judy and Dennis Shepard after the loss of their son in 1998. On Thursday, October 19, Katie will reunite with the Shepards on
@TODAYshow
in commemoration of 25 years of the Matthew Shepard Foundation.
For those of you taking the time to remember Matthew this week, we urge you to take the Heart/Fence Challenge.
๐ Print one out.
๐ Write something kind on the back.
๐ Place it on a fence in your community.
๐ Take a photo and post it with
#MSF20
!
โToday, we are banning the horrific practice of conversion therapy in Michigan and ensuring this is a state where you can be who you are.โ - Gov. Gretchen Whitmer
Wyoming is one of just three U.S. states lacking hate crimes legislation for any marginalized group, whether the victim is LGBTQ+, Native American, Jewish, Muslim, or a person of color. Could 2021 be the year?
Read more via
@them
:
"As we commemorate this anniversary, let us vow to continue to tear down barriers to justice, root out hatred wherever it takes hold and build a fairer future for generations to come.โ -
@SpeakerPelosi
#EraseHate
"For the past 20 years, we have shared Mattโs story with the world. Itโs reassuring to know he now will rest in a sacred spot where folks can come to reflect on creating a safer, kinder world.โ -
@WyoJudyShepard
On this date in 2009, eight years after it was first introduced, the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act was signed into law by President Barack Obama.
"In particular, we welcome those of you who are gay or lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or queer. Many of you have been hurt by your own religious communities, and I want to welcome you back."
#RememberMatt
Photos from this yearโs Matthew Shepard Foundation Gala are up on the Gala page on our website! Thank you again to everyone who supported this critical fundraiser and visit this link to explore all the photos!
โAll young people, regardless of sexual orientation or identity, deserve a safe & supportive environment in which to achieve their full potential.โ- Harvey Milk
On
#HarveyMilkDay
, we pause to remember the pioneering gay rights activist & his work in erasing LGBTQ discrimination.
When the light hits the stained glass windows of the
@WNCathedral
, a rainbow is created at Matt's final resting place.
Please join us Dec 1 for an online prayer service celebrating the life of Matt on what would have been his 44th birthday.
Thank you to our generous volunteers who worked the Matthew Shepard Foundation booth at Denver Pride this weekend and those who walked with us in the parade!
๐ท
Everyone deserves the right to be themselves. Today, and every day, we fight for the rights of people to live their lives authentically and freely.
Happy International Non-Binary People's Day!
#InternationalNonBinaryDay
#NonBinaryPeoplesDay
#EraseHate
Send love to those who are out and proud.
Send love to those who are unable to come out.
Send love to those who are still figuring it out.
Help us Erase Hate.
Send love on National Coming Out Day.
#EraseHate
#NationalComingOutDay
Please consider honoring Mattโs memory today with a generous gift to the Matthew Shepard Foundation.
To donate text MATT2020 to (844) 333-5897 or visit
#EraseHate
Today marks 5 years since the massacre at Pulse at Florida.
Remember the 49 lives lost.
Support the traumatized survivors.
Honor all those touched by this tragedy.
Erase Hate.
Weird take here from
@EWErickson
, especially since he argued last year that Matthew Shepard deserved to be killed because gay men should judged by what they're wearing.
Full report on that from
@bad_takes
for
@mmfa
:
"I'm ecstatic that the
#RespectForMarriageAct
passed, but it is not the answer to everything. We can expect a challenge to Obergefell will be headed to SCOTUS. And we still have no federal job or public accommodations protection. It's time to pass the Equality Act!"- Judy Shepard
"This is my charge to everyone. We have to be better. We have to love more, hate less. We've got to listen more and talk less. We've got to know that this is everybody's responsibility." - Megan Rapinoe (
@mPinoe
) at the
#USWNTParade
.
Excited to announce the 2022 Dennis Dougherty Award for Community Leadership recipient is Virginia's Delegate Danica Roem (
@pwcdanica
), the first out-and-seated transgender state legislator in American history.
Get your 2022 Gala tickets today at
Thanks to our amazing guests & corporate partners, the 2022 Bear to Make a Difference Gala was a huge success, raising over $335K to support our efforts to
#EraseHate
. Special thanks to gala honorees Zachary Quinto,
@RandyRainbow
,
@pwcdanica
(not in attendance) and
@zandermoricz
!
As of 2020, around 1 out of every 5 hate crimes committed in the U.S. were motivated by anti-LGBTQ+ bias, according to the U.S. Dept of Justice. The fuel for much of this violence has been rhetoric spread by white nationalists, extremists, and politicians.
We want to take a moment on
#TransgenderDayofVisibility
to remind the transgender, gender diverse and non-binary members of our community who may feel isolated or alone that you are an important part of a huge and fierce community filled with history and activism and love.
#TDOV