Remembering Matthew Shepard ten years later

It was ten years ago today that Russell Henderson and Aaron McKinney beat Matthew Shepard and left him to die outside Laramie, Wyoming. This morning, Judy Shepard, Matthew’s mother, went on The Early Show to remember Matthew, and to talk about what has changed and what hasn’t for the gay community in the United States:

(Towleroad)

I’m continually amazed by Judy Shepard. She has devoted her life ever since Matthew’s murder to educating people about discrimination, fighting for hate crimes laws, and keeping Matthew’s memory alive. I’ve been privileged enough to see her speak several times, and to chat with her. She is such an exceptional woman, and sets an example, through her tragic loss, of what every mother with a gay child should be doing in their own little corners of the world to help the gay community continue to break down the walls of discrimination.

Unfortunately, many mothers just don’t seem to have it in them.