Saw Judy Shepard speak tonight - Empty Closets - A safe online community for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered people coming out

thedreamwatch · 1st Mar 2011, 08:42 PM

I saw Judy Shepard (Mother of Matthew Shepard) speak tonight and it absolutely blew me away. I cried for the first half hour pretty steadily as well as laughed and really thought deeply not just about how I'm treated as a member of a community that's discriminated against and often hated, but also I thought about the way I speak and the way that I think and how I could be adding to this hatred instead of really helping get rid of it.

Have any of you guys heard her speak at all? What did you think?

I think my favorite part of it was the very last story she told at the end about the Cherokee grandfather*

*the Cherokee story can be found here

Revan · 2nd Mar 2011, 07:41 AM

I know! She came to my school in October and it was just such an amazing speech. I asked a question and I dunno if it was cuz I was in front of so many or just because I was in front of her, but I broke down even though I'd told me coming out to parents story a million times. Just the impact she has on you I guess.

Paul_UK · 20th Jul 2011, 09:13 AM

I highly recommend Judy Shepard's book "The Meaning of Matthew". Very powerful and moving.

Amazon.com: The Meaning of Matthew: My Son's Murder in Laramie, and a World Transformed (9781594630576): Judy Shepard: Books

Just Passing · 20th Jul 2011, 10:58 AM

Whilst I haven't heard her speak or am aware of Judy Shepard in general, I am aware of what happened to her poor son and the horrific death he suffered from the hands of the twats that murdered him.

Good to see that even after it all, Judy is managing to make an impact on people everywhere.

1st Mar 2011, 08:42 PM	#1
thedreamwatch Maximum Ridiculosity Full Member Gender: Female Orientation: Kinsey 5. So, pretty gay. Out Status: Out to everyone Location: Wisconsin Age: 22 Posts: 1,274 Join Date: Jan 2011	Saw Judy Shepard speak tonight I saw Judy Shepard (Mother of Matthew Shepard) speak tonight and it absolutely blew me away. I cried for the first half hour pretty steadily as well as laughed and really thought deeply not just about how I'm treated as a member of a community that's discriminated against and often hated, but also I thought about the way I speak and the way that I think and how I could be adding to this hatred instead of really helping get rid of it. Have any of you guys heard her speak at all? What did you think? I think my favorite part of it was the very last story she told at the end about the Cherokee grandfather* the Cherokee story can be found here __________________ "I came out laughing, I came out screaming, I came out dancing*..." - T&S

2nd Mar 2011, 07:41 AM	#2
Revan EC Addict Full Member Gender: M for MEEP! Orientation: Mutant and Proud Out Status: Out to everyone Location: Windsor, Ontario Age: 24 Posts: 6,564 Join Date: Jun 2005	Re: Saw Judy Shepard speak tonight I know! She came to my school in October and it was just such an amazing speech. I asked a question and I dunno if it was cuz I was in front of so many or just because I was in front of her, but I broke down even though I'd told me coming out to parents story a million times. Just the impact she has on you I guess. __________________ "Is there some reason my coffee isn't here? Has she died or something?" - Miranda Priestly. Strength is not defined by physical capacity, but by indomitable will. ~ Mahatma Gandhi Procrastination is like masturbation, in the end you just wind up screwing yourself.

20th Jul 2011, 09:13 AM	#3
Paul_UK Former Empty Closets Admin Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Out to everyone Location: Bournemouth, UK Age: 47 Posts: 13,155 Join Date: Nov 2004	Re: Saw Judy Shepard speak tonight I highly recommend Judy Shepard's book "The Meaning of Matthew". Very powerful and moving. Amazon.com: The Meaning of Matthew: My Son's Murder in Laramie, and a World Transformed (9781594630576): Judy Shepard: Books __________________ Paul

20th Jul 2011, 10:58 AM	#4
Just Passing EC Addict Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Almost there Location: West Midlands Age: 20 Posts: 513 Join Date: May 2011	Re: Saw Judy Shepard speak tonight Whilst I haven't heard her speak or am aware of Judy Shepard in general, I am aware of what happened to her poor son and the horrific death he suffered from the hands of the twats that murdered him. Good to see that even after it all, Judy is managing to make an impact on people everywhere. __________________ Meh.