Judy Shepard speaking to the audience that attended her book signing event on Sept 19th in Washington D. C. at Borders Books
Photos by Brody Levesque
By Brody Levesque (Bethesda, Maryland) Sept 20 | She looks exactly like what one would expect a contemporary American 'Mom' to look like. There is absolutely nothing pretentious about her, in fact, it is easy to imagine her shopping at the market and stopping in an aisle to ask you how your kids are, or talking to you about everyday life.
But, this is no ordinary lady in casual jeans and a simple black button down shirt speaking to you. This is a very powerful force within the LGBT Civil Rights movement, an advocate without portfolio, whose personal story of tragedy and pain led to her ongoing campaign to erase hate and bias. Wherever she goes people take notice and more importantly they're listening to her message.
Yesterday, on a beautiful autumn Saturday afternoon, 120 persons gathered at Borders Books here in downtown Washington D. C., to listen to Judy Shepard and to have her sign copies of her new book, "The Meaning of Matthew," which chronicles her experiences since the night that her oldest son was murdered eleven years ago on October 12th, 1998.
Introduced by Jim Stunz of the Borders' staff, Judy was met with enthusiastic applause from a very friendly audience. In her opening remarks she emphasized the need for awareness to combat the effects of hate and the need to educate, especially young people, about the dangers of unchecked bias and bigotry.
Following her remarks, she opened the floor to questions from the audience. In answer to a question about her getting involved in the campaign to end hatred and bias, Judy pointed out that, "Sometimes the Universe speaks and you have to listen."
In answer to another question about the mission of the foundation that she and her husband, Dennis Shepard, founded not long after their son's death, she quoted the late former Texas Governor, Ann Richards; “I have very strong feelings about how you lead your life. You always look ahead, you never look back.”
There were anecdotal explanations in answer to questions about her son's life. In response to a question regarding her son's iconic status as a potent symbol of the LGBT Civil Rights movement: "Matt was a normal college kid." She again was painting a picture of a kid who was normal, had issues, and was struggling. Another reason she added, that she wrote the book and desired to set the record on her story. "This is my truth about what happened to Matt, and what happened afterwards. It was time to tell the story."
In response to a question regarding the moment she realised that Matthew was Gay; "He was about 8 years old and oh yeah, for three years in a row at Halloween he went dressed as Dolly Parton." That brought the house down in laughter. She added, "I knew, I knew as a Mom and as a matter of heart, it just took a little longer to get to my head."
It was at times poignant, she mentioned that she still has all of his clothes, 4 very large "DISHPAK" cartons full in storage that she has yet to give away, yet the family incorporated his kitchen utensils and dishware into everyday use along with theirs. She also kept Matthew's eclectic collection of glass bottles and Art Deco pieces that he loved.
What was obvious to the audience was the quiet strength she possesses as she spoke about her son, the murder, and the work of the Matthew Shepard Foundation. She does not feel that she is an advocate, in reply to a question in that regard came this answer; " I'm not an advocate, I'm a mom who's pissed off that society allowed this to happen to my son." She also stressed that ending hate, bias, and violence is more than just an issue that affects Lesbians and Gays, it affects everyone.
She is focused, she is articulate, she is angry, she is committed, and most of all, she's a Mom.
Introduced by Jim Stunz of the Borders' staff, Judy was met with enthusiastic applause from a very friendly audience. In her opening remarks she emphasized the need for awareness to combat the effects of hate and the need to educate, especially young people, about the dangers of unchecked bias and bigotry.
Following her remarks, she opened the floor to questions from the audience. In answer to a question about her getting involved in the campaign to end hatred and bias, Judy pointed out that, "Sometimes the Universe speaks and you have to listen."
In answer to another question about the mission of the foundation that she and her husband, Dennis Shepard, founded not long after their son's death, she quoted the late former Texas Governor, Ann Richards; “I have very strong feelings about how you lead your life. You always look ahead, you never look back.”
There were anecdotal explanations in answer to questions about her son's life. In response to a question regarding her son's iconic status as a potent symbol of the LGBT Civil Rights movement: "Matt was a normal college kid." She again was painting a picture of a kid who was normal, had issues, and was struggling. Another reason she added, that she wrote the book and desired to set the record on her story. "This is my truth about what happened to Matt, and what happened afterwards. It was time to tell the story."
In response to a question regarding the moment she realised that Matthew was Gay; "He was about 8 years old and oh yeah, for three years in a row at Halloween he went dressed as Dolly Parton." That brought the house down in laughter. She added, "I knew, I knew as a Mom and as a matter of heart, it just took a little longer to get to my head."
It was at times poignant, she mentioned that she still has all of his clothes, 4 very large "DISHPAK" cartons full in storage that she has yet to give away, yet the family incorporated his kitchen utensils and dishware into everyday use along with theirs. She also kept Matthew's eclectic collection of glass bottles and Art Deco pieces that he loved.
What was obvious to the audience was the quiet strength she possesses as she spoke about her son, the murder, and the work of the Matthew Shepard Foundation. She does not feel that she is an advocate, in reply to a question in that regard came this answer; " I'm not an advocate, I'm a mom who's pissed off that society allowed this to happen to my son." She also stressed that ending hate, bias, and violence is more than just an issue that affects Lesbians and Gays, it affects everyone.
She is focused, she is articulate, she is angry, she is committed, and most of all, she's a Mom.
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