**UPDATE!**
LARAMIE, Wyo., April 5 — One of two young men charged in the slaying of gay college student Matthew Shepard pleaded guilty Monday and was sentenced to two consecutive life terms in prison and will not be eligible for parole. His only hope for release is a pardon. Russell Henderson, a 21-year-old high school dropout and roofer, avoided a trial with his plea.
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"Hate crimes are acts of violence directed against people because of their racial, religious, ethnic, gender or sexual identity. They are also acts of violence against the American ideal: that we can make one nation out of many different people." Arnold Aronson, President, LCEF
Hate Crimes Statistics
- 1995 - Total Hate Crimes: 7947
- 1996 - Total Hate Crimes: 8759 of that sexual orientation attacks: 1016
- 1996 - Incidents Reported: 3674 of that incidents against gay men - 757, against lesbians - 150
- 1996 - Violence Against Gays and Lesbians by Law Enforcement: 266
- 1997 - Violence Against Gays and Lesbians by Law Enforcement: 468 - increase of 76%
- 1997 - Acts of Violence Against Gays and Lesbians in Jails and Police Stations: Overall increase of 83%
*Statistics provided by NCAVP
That is all we are to most people - statistics. No names, no faces, no familiarity to make it seem up close and personal. And for as long as we are nothing more than this we can be ignored and considered non-entities I don't know about you all but I don't want those who have beaten up or murdered forgotten, or for their deaths to have been in vain.
I did not know Matthew personally but I do know that his death touches my heart and effects my very being. I know that this senseless violence against gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered peoples has got to stop. And I know that in order to bring about change we have to get visible so they know we exist and that we bleed, mourn, grieve like they do.
And that is why I am building this memorial. To give honor and visibility to those who have died or been attacked because of hate crimes. Fill out the form below, tell their story and I will add them to the memorial.
And now, click on the storm which, though violent, can lead us to the truth if we go forward.....
If you wish to link to this page please use this graphic.
Home of the Visible and Proud Webring
Vigils Planned
Matthew's Last Rites
A Poem For Us All
Badge of Honor
GLAAD Report on News Coverage
The Face of Hate at a Funeral
Hate: What Are They Saying?
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