Matthew+Shepard

=**Matthew Shepard:**= Matthew's life may have been short but it made a tremendous difference in the gay community and it's attitudes towards hate crimes. Matthew was killed- the only motive was that he was gay. He was murdered in a cold-blooded way: tied to a fence, beaten within an inch of his life, and left to die bleeding on that fence. His body was tied in such a way that when it was passed by a cyclist, he was mistaken for a scarecrow. He was sent to a hospital and remained there through the night and 5 days when, finally, he succumbed to his wounds. Matthew was killed by two men, Mr. Henderson and Mr. McKinley. This may have not been intended as a hate crime but it turned out that way. They picked Matt up and planned to rob him knowing he was gay, they got angry when he suposedly made sexual gestures to them. They told him off, and beat him up which included pistol whipping, punching, kicking and then tied him to a fence bleeding to death. He had a fracture from the back of his head to the front of his right ear. Severe brain damage and many lacerations on his face and neck. During his time at the hospital he remained on full life support. He was in critical care for five day's until he died. Matt was born December first, 1978. His parents described him as the kid who was always able to see where your coming from and was very accepting of all people. He had atended church as a boy and learned even more acceptance there. Matthew thought that judging people before you new them was a waste of time and wondered why the whole world didn't think that way. He was the perfect negotiator. He understood the needs of others, that is why he wanted to go into politics. He wanted to help people and to end harassment and discrimination. He could break up fights and get people to talk it out and settle their differences. He gained friends all around the world with many races different sexual orientations and he didn’t even notice. If you where white ,black ,asian, mexican, gay ,bisexual, transgender, he was accepting to all people. Matthew Shepard was a guy that you could really relate to, A guy who could understand your problems a guy you could love and he was loved. Matthew Shepard was a very important person to the gay civil right act. Because his death really brought hate crimes to the for front. His death may not have been in vain. Theres a Matthew Shepard act in legislation right now to give local law enfocment the athority and man power to take down hate crimes. SONG: This song was written by melissa Ethridge who is a lebian woman who wrote this song to dedicate to Matthew Shepard Lyrics: Melissa Etheridge Scarecrow Showers of your crimson blood Seep into a nation calling up a flood Of narrow minds who legislate Thinly veiled intolerance Bigotry and hate

But they tortured and burned you They beat you and they tied you They left you cold and breathing For love they crucified you

I can't forget hard as I try This silhouette against the sky

Scarecrow crying Waiting to die wondering why Scarecrow trying Angels will hold carry your soul away

This was our brother This was our son This shepherd young and mild This unassuming one We all gasp this can't happen here We're all much too civilized Where can these monsters hide

But they are knocking on our front door They're rocking in our cradles They're preaching in our churches And eating at our tables

I search my soul My heart and in my mind To try and find forgiveness This is someone child With pain unreconciled Filled up with father's hate Mother's neglect I can forgive But I will not forget

Scarecrow crying Waiting to die wondering why Scarecrow trying Rising above all in the name of love [|LYRICS For Scarcrow] LINKS: [|Matthew Shepards Home Page] [|Matthews Place]