Shepard, Matthew Wayne, 1976-1998

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Matthew Wayne "Matt" Shepard (December 1, 1976, Casper, Wyoming – October 12, 1998, Fort Collins, Colorado) was an American student at the University of Wyoming who was beaten, tortured, and left to die near Laramie on the night of October 6, 1998. He was taken by rescuers to Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins, Colorado, where he died six days later from severe head injuries.

Shepard's murder brought national and international attention to hate crime legislation at the state and federal levels. In October 2009, the United States Congress passed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act (commonly the "Matthew Shepard Act" or "Shepard/Byrd Act" for short), and on October 28, 2009, President Barack Obama signed the legislation into law. Following her son's murder, Judy Shepard became a prominent LGBT rights activist and established the Matthew Shepard Foundation. Shepard's death inspired notable films, novels, plays, songs, and other works.

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Minnesota State University, Mankato. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Center. Collection, 1972-2002. Minnesota State University, Mankato, Library Services, Library Services
Matthew Shepard collection, 1983-2017 Univerisity of Wyoming. American Heritage Center.
Matthew Shepard Papers National Museum of American History (U.S.). Archives Center
referencedIn Papers of Kristi Parker, 1977-2010 University of Kansas Kenneth Spencer Research Library Kanas Collection
referencedIn Public Law 111-84: An Act to Authorize Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2010 for Military Activities of the Department of Defense, for Military Construction, and for Defense Activities of the Department of Energy, to Prescribe Military Personnel Strengths for Such Fiscal year, and for Other Purposes, 10/28/2009 National Archives at Washington, D.C
Matthew Shepard Web Archive, 1998-2008 Univerisity of Wyoming. American Heritage Center.
creatorOf Shepard, Matthew, 1976-1998. Matthew Shepard : research materials. Michigan State University Libraries, Main Library
referencedIn Rudnick, Paul. Rude entertainment: typescript, 2001. New York Public Library System, NYPL
referencedIn Sallie Bingham Papers, 1900-2011 and undated, (bulk 1940s-2011) David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library
referencedIn Matthew Shepard Web Archive, 1998-2008 Univerisity of Wyoming. American Heritage Center.
Minnesota State University, Mankato. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Center. Collection, 1972-2002. Minnesota State University, Mankato, Library Services, Library Services
referencedIn Ember, Max. Anatomy of a hate crime : murder in Laramie : a screenplay / by Max Ember. Ohio University, Alden Library
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Bingham, Sallie person
associatedWith Bingham, Sallie person
associatedWith Ember, Max. person
associatedWith Matthew Shepard Foundation corporateBody
associatedWith Minnesota State University, Mankato. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Center. corporateBody
associatedWith Parker, Kristi person
associatedWith Rudnick, Paul. person
alumnusOrAlumnaOf University of Wyoming. corporateBody
Place Name Admin Code Country
Casper WY US
Laramie WY US
Fort Collins CO US
Subject
Gay college students
Gay youth
Hate crimes
Homophobia
Lesbian and gay experience
Occupation
Students
Activity

Person

Birth 1976-12-01

Death 1998-10-12

Male

Americans

Information

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