Brody's Notes & Scribbles... After Ten Years, The Matthew Shepard Act Is Now Law

By Brody Levesque (Washington DC) Oct 28 | With no small measure of deep personal satisfaction, I am pleased to announce that after a decade long legislative battle, The Matthew Shepard & James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act is now law.

From the East Room of the White House:

Earlier in the day at lunchtime, I had covered a small demonstration of support of the Act outside the north side of the White House Complex on Pennsylvania Avenue. Organised by the Equality Forum, there were approximately 25 persons holding poster-boards depicting LGBT victims of hate crimes, a statement symbolic of the over 16,000 victims since the death of Matthew Shepard on October 12th, 1998. Executive Director of the Equality Forum, Malcolm Lazin, based in Philadelphia said that even with the passage and signing into law of the Act, the United States still had a long way to go in reaching equality and parity for all LGBT Americans. This feeling was echoed by a participant in the demonstration, David Fishback, the Chairman for Advocacy for PFLAG Washington D. C. who said;

"The more people experience LGBT people, the more they will realise that we're all people, no matter what differences there are."

Photos By Brody Levesque (Left to Right) Executive Director of the Equality Forum, Malcolm Lazin, speaking to reporters at the Equality Forum Demonstration on October 28th, 2009 in front of the White House. Demonstrators holding signs depicting victims of hate crimes

Then, there's this one last item. This e-mail arrived from Judy Shepard addressed to me and I would like to share its message with all of you as its very important to everyone, LGBT or Straight, who strive for the goal of one day seeing hatred being replaced by understanding, compassion, and acceptance.

Dear Brody

When Dennis and I started calling 10 years ago for federal action to prevent and properly prosecute hate crimes against gay, lesbian and transgendered Americans, we never imagined it would take this long.

The legislation went through so many versions and so many votes that we had to constantly keep our hopes in check to keep from getting discouraged. But with President Obama’s support and the continually growing bipartisan majorities in the House and Senate lining up behind the bill this year, it became clear that 2009 was the year it would finally happen.

We are incredibly grateful to Congress and the president for taking this step forward on behalf of hate crime victims and their families, especially given the continuing attacks on people simply for living their lives openly and honestly. But each of us can and must do much more to ensure true equality for all Americans.

Campaigning for hate-crimes legislation may be what I am known best for, but our family and the Matthew Shepard Foundation will continue to push for true equality for every American until the work is complete. Too many people face the threat of losing their jobs or their homes due to their sexual orientation. Too many same-sex couples lack legal protections for their property, their health care decisions, and their children. Too many devoted and dedicated service-members are being turned away by our armed forces.

I hope, as you reflect on the success of the hate crime prevention bill, that you also take the extra step of contacting your state and federal elected officials in support of full equality for all citizens, regardless of difference.

Be open about who you are and who you love. Dispel stereotypes and assumptions. Tell your stories. And support the continued work of the Matthew Shepard Foundation to "Replace Hate with Understanding, Compassion, and Acceptance."

Thanks to all who helped us achieve this success today. You are making a difference.

Sincerely,

Judy Shepard

President, Board of Directors, Matthew Shepard Foundation