Chicago Public Library-Blog: Top Picks: Remembering Matthew Shepard

Chicago IL

01 December, 2021

1:37 PM

Description

Press release from the Chicago Public Library-blog: Cordiah December 1, 2021 Matthew Wayne Shepard was 21 years old when he lost his life to a brutal and senseless attack in October 1998. The promising University of Wyoming student unwittingly became a martyr and national symbol for intolerance whose murder has since ignited discussions on prejudice and violence against LGBTQ individuals. In the two decades since Matthew's death, his legacy has endured in the form of books, film, and social activism; most notably the Matthew Shepard Foundation founded by his parents. In 2009, Congress passed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Hate Crimes Prevention Act which includes crimes motivated by a victim's actual or perceived gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.  Had he lived, Matthew would be celebrating his 45th birthday on December 1. In celebration, check out the top picks below. Told from various points of view,October Mourning by Leslea Newman is a riveting book that recalls the events of October 6, 1998 when 21-year-old Matthew Shepard, a gay college student, was lured out of a Wyoming bar, beaten, tied to a fence, and left to die.  October MourningOctober Mourning a Song for Matthew ShepardNewman, LesléaNewman, Lesléa Book, 2012Available View detailsView details for October Mourning, Book, Available Matthew Shepard's death prompted nationwide attention to violence against LGBT individuals, but for the people of Laramie, Wyoming, the event was deeply personal. In The Laramie Project by Moises Kaufman, we hear their voices and see a complex portrait of a strong community.  The Laramie ProjectThe Laramie Project Kaufman, MoisésKaufman, Moisés Paperback, 2001Available View detailsView details for The Laramie Project, Paperback, Available The biography The Meaning of Matthew by Judy Shepard captures not only the historical significance and civil rights issues surrounding Matthew's death, but also chronicles Judy's struggles in losing her beloved son.  The Meaning of MatthewThe Meaning of Matthew My Son's Murder in Laramie, and a World TransformedShepard, JudyShepard, Judy Book, 2009Available View detailsView details for The Meaning of Matthew, Book, Available A longtime friend of Matthew, Michele Josue's powerful documentary Matt Shepard Is A Friend of Mine revisits the infamous case with never-before-seen photos, rare video footage, and new revelations about Matthew's short yet meaningful life.  Matt Shepard Is a Friend of MineMatt Shepard Is a Friend of Mine DVD, 2015Available View detailsView details for Matt Shepard Is A Friend of Mine, DVD, Available In one of their final conversations, Matthew told his best friend Romaine that he wanted more than anything to help others realize their ability to make a difference in the world. Romaine's reflective memoir The Whole World Was Watching, is a journey to realize the truth of such a profound statement.  The Whole World Was WatchingThe Whole World Was Watching Living in the Light of Matthew ShepepardPatterson, RomainePatterson, Romaine Book, 2005Available View detailsView details for The Whole World Was Watching, Book, Available This press release was produced by the Chicago Public Library-blog. The views expressed here are the author's own.