Director Michele Josue narrates the opening of her 2013 film, Matt Shepard is a Friend of Mine. She tells us that for those who knew Shepard, the pain of his loss is relentless and raw. She and Shepard became friends as young children. The film is an intimate, humanizing look at Shepard, now an icon for the gay rights movement. Today, most people are familiar with Shepard’s story. Because he was gay, Shepard was beaten, tortured and left to die just outside of Laramie, Wyoming. It was less than two months before his 22nd birthday.
Shepard’s murder galvanized people across the country and led to the passage of national hate crime legislation. Here in Wyoming, however, passing similar statewide legislation and anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people remains an ongoing challenge. Advocates say this is just one reason why Shepard’s story must continue be told.
On Thursday, Teton County Library and Wyoming Equality screen Matt Shepard is a Friend of Mine.
