WCFCourier.com – By Mary Stegmeir – Courier Staff Writer
Waverly – Almost nine years ago, a bicyclist pedaling along a Laramie, Wyo. road discovered 21-year-old Matthew Shepard tied to a split-rail fence.
The college student was beaten so badly that, at first glance, the cyclist confused him for a scarecrow. Shepard, a gay man, died five days later on Oct. 12, 1998. Laramie residents Aaron McKinney and Russell Henderson were convicted of the crime.
“Matt is no longer with us because two men learned to hate,” Shepard’s mother, Judy, told students Tuesday at Wartburg College. “…And it’s ignorance that breeds hate in our society.”
The 55-year-old now travels the country speaking about hate crimes and discrimination against gays and other minorities. She urged the 1,200 students in Neumann Auditorium to practice tolerance and urge friends and family to stamp out stereotypes.
“This is not just a gay/lesbian issue,” she said. “This is hate across the board. Everyone is affected.”