25 Years Later, Remembering Matthew Shepard

Matthew Shepard was a gay 21-year-old college student who died 25 years ago this week, the victim of a vicious anti-gay hate crime. He was beaten, tied to a fence post in the Wyoming wilderness and left to die.

As his mother Judy tells it, the only part of his face that wasn’t bloodied were the lines of tears nearly frozen under his eyes. He was just 21.

And yet … 

Matthew’s shocking death electrified the gay rights movement, leading to the signing of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009. He remains an icon among the LGBTQ community, and his parents are pioneers in the fight against hatred of all forms. 

For 20 years, his parents Judy and Dennis did not know where to inter his ashes; they wanted to somewhere safe where he could not be attacked again. In 2018, Matthew was interred in the Cathedral columbarium, and the Cathedral has welcomed untold numbers of pilgrims who have come to say a prayer and light a candle.

Last year, the Cathedral unveiled a new devotional portrait of Matthew, commissioned by the Cathedral’s LGBTQ staff and mastered by iconographer Kelly Latimore.

On Thursday (Oct. 12), we’ll toll our funeral bell 25 times at noon ET to mourn Matthew’s passing, but also to recommit ourselves to building the world that Matthew wanted to see: One where everyone is welcome, everyone is accepted, and where hate never wins.

Also on Thursday you’re invited to visit Matthew’s final resting place in the Chapel of St. Joseph of Arimathea. Light a candle, say a prayer, and let’s make this a world that Matthew would be proud of.

Later in November, Matthew’s parents will join us for our annual service to mark Matthew’s birthday on Dec. 1, and we’ll have more to share as that service comes together.