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Judy Shepard

Judy Shepard is an American activist and educator who co-founded the with her husband following the October 1998 murder of their son, , a 21-year-old student. The foundation, established to honor Matthew's memory, focuses on promoting , diversity, and equality for LGBTQ+ individuals while working to eliminate hate crimes. Shepard served as the organization's founding president and its first executive director from 1999 to 2009, during which she traveled nationally to speak on these issues. Shepard's activism gained prominence through her advocacy for federal hate crimes legislation, including testifying before congressional committees to support expansions of protections based on and . Her efforts contributed to the passage of the and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act in 2009, which broadened federal authority to prosecute crimes motivated by bias against various protected characteristics. In recognition of her lifelong commitment to advancing LGBTQ+ rights and preventing hate-motivated violence, Shepard received the in 2024. She also authored the 2009 memoir The Meaning of Matthew, detailing her family's experience and her transition into civil rights work. The murder of , which Shepard has consistently attributed to anti-gay hatred, sparked widespread public attention and debate, though evidentiary details from and later investigations indicate the perpetrators' actions involved , , and possible methamphetamine-related motives rather than purely bias-driven premeditation, as they were not charged under statutes and defenses emphasized panic over orientation-targeted intent. This discrepancy has fueled ongoing scrutiny of the case's narrative, which underpins much of Shepard's , amid broader questions about causal factors in violent crimes often framed through identity-based lenses by groups and outlets prone to selective emphasis. Despite such controversies, Shepard's role in shaping policy discourse on endures, with the foundation continuing programs like educational resources and announcements to foster tolerance.

Personal Background

Early Life and Education

Judy Shepard was born Judy Peck on August 15, 1952, in , a small town where her father served as and her mother worked as a senior clerk at the local . She grew up in this rural community, which had a population of around 2,000 residents during her childhood, shaping an upbringing centered in a tight-knit, working-class environment typical of mid-20th-century . Shepard attended the , earning a degree in . Originally trained as a teacher, she later pursued postgraduate studies at the same institution, though specific details on the focus or completion of these advanced courses remain limited in public records. Her educational background prepared her for a career in education prior to her family's international relocations and subsequent life events.

Family and Pre-1998 Life

Judy Shepard, née Peck, married in 1973 following his graduation with a degree in education from the . The couple settled in , where they raised their two sons, , born on December 1, 1976, and . attended public schools in Casper through his junior year of high school. In 1993, Dennis accepted a position as a safety engineer with an oil company, prompting the family to relocate to . Judy accompanied her husband there, while Matthew enrolled in a in , , for his final two years of high school, and attended elsewhere. The family maintained ties to , with Matthew returning to attend the in Laramie starting in 1995. Prior to 1998, Judy and Dennis continued residing in , managing family matters from abroad.

The Murder of Matthew Shepard

Circumstances of the Crime

On the evening of , 1998, , a 21-year-old student, entered the Fireside Lounge bar in , around 11:00 p.m. There, he encountered Aaron McKinney, 21, and Russell Henderson, 20, both local residents who had been drinking and seeking someone to rob. Shepard, who was openly homosexual, accepted their offer for a ride home after leaving the bar shortly after midnight, as he had been drinking and lacked other transportation. Instead of driving to Shepard's residence, McKinney and Henderson transported him in their to a remote area east of Laramie, near the of Highway 208 and Buckeye Road. Upon stopping, the two men robbed Shepard of his and shoes, then assaulted him repeatedly with the butt of a wielded by McKinney, fracturing his and causing extensive brain trauma. Henderson participated by helping to restrain Shepard and tying him to a with a looped around his , leaving him exposed overnight in subfreezing temperatures. The attackers claimed in later statements that the violence escalated after Shepard allegedly made unwanted sexual advances, prompting a "gay panic" response, though prosecutors argued the initial intent was with Shepard targeted due to his perceived vulnerability as a gay man. Shepard remained undiscovered until the morning of October 7, when a cyclist found him at approximately 6:00 p.m., barely alive and suffering from , severe including a sagittal , and , but no evidence of or other hard drugs in his system per . He was airlifted to Poudre Valley Hospital in , where he lapsed into a ; was withdrawn on October 12 after consultation with family, and he died at 12:53 a.m. from the cumulative effects of blunt force trauma. McKinney and Henderson were arrested hours after the attack when McKinney's girlfriend reported their involvement to , leading to felony and charges. No hate crime enhancement was applied, as Wyoming law at the time did not recognize sexual orientation-based bias as qualifying for such charges, and the perpetrators received life sentences without parole following trials and pleas in 1999.

Investigation and Trial Outcomes

The investigation into Matthew Shepard's assault began on October 7, 1998, when a cyclist discovered him tied to a on a rural road outside , severely beaten and hypothermic; Shepard was airlifted to a hospital in , where he died on October 12 from head injuries. Laramie police identified suspects Aaron McKinney and Russell Henderson through leads including a stolen recovered during McKinney's on October 8 following a , and McKinney confessed to the and beating on October 9, implicating Henderson, who was arrested the following day. Following Shepard's death, McKinney and Henderson were charged with first-degree and ; Wyoming law at the time lacked a enhancement statute, so charges proceeded under felony rules tied to the . On April 5, 1999, Henderson pleaded guilty to felony and in exchange for prosecutors dropping the death penalty pursuit, receiving two consecutive life sentences without and agreeing to testify against McKinney. McKinney's trial commenced on October 11, 1999; his defense invoked a "gay panic" argument claiming Shepard's advances provoked the violence, but the judge barred it as irrelevant to premeditation. The jury convicted McKinney of felony murder on October 26, 1999, after Henderson's testimony and forensic evidence linking the pair to the , resulting in two consecutive life sentences without to avoid execution. Neither defendant appealed their sentences.

Immediate Aftermath and Family Response

Matthew Shepard was discovered alive but critically injured on October 8, 1998, by cyclist Aaron Kreifels in a rural area west of ; he had suffered extensive skull fractures, brain trauma, and from the assault the previous night, and was airlifted to Poudre Valley Hospital in , where he remained in a . Judy and Dennis Shepard, residing in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, at the time due to Dennis's employment with an oil company, received a telephone call from hospital staff around 5 a.m. local time informing them of their son's condition, initially described as resulting from a possible car accident; they promptly flew back to the United States, arriving to find Matthew unresponsive with irreversible brain damage and no detectable brain activity. On October 12, 1998, at 12:53 a.m., Shepard died from his injuries while on full life support, a development that hospital officials noted relieved the of the burden of deciding to withdraw it. Judy Shepard later described the moment as one of overwhelming devastation, emphasizing in reflections the abrupt shift from ordinary parental concerns to confronting their son's mortality. The family held a funeral service on October 16, 1998, at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in , where hundreds gathered to mourn despite disruptions from approximately 40 protesters affiliated with the , led by , who displayed signs reading "No Tears for Fags," "God Hates Fags," and assertions that Shepard was in hell; counter-demonstrators shouted back, creating a tense atmosphere outside the church. In initial public responses, Dennis and Judy Shepard conveyed their grief through spokespeople, requesting privacy while expressing appreciation for the outpouring of support from the community and beyond.

Activism and Advocacy Efforts

Establishment of the Matthew Shepard Foundation

Following the murder of their son on October 12, 1998, Judy Shepard and her husband Dennis incorporated the as a on December 1, 1998, coinciding with what would have been Matthew's 22nd birthday. The entity was established in , where the family resided, with an initial focus on honoring Matthew's memory through education and outreach aimed at eliminating anti-LGBTQ+ violence and promoting civil rights. Judy Shepard served as the founding president of the and its first starting in 1999, directing early efforts from the family's base in Casper. The foundation's inception was driven by the Shepards' intent to channel public attention from Matthew's death into actionable advocacy, including engagements and partnerships with organizations addressing hate crimes. Early activities emphasized awareness campaigns and support for victims of bias-motivated violence, reflecting the parents' stated goal of preventing similar tragedies through policy influence and . By its formal launch, the organization had secured 501(c)(3) status, enabling it to accept donations and expand operations beyond personal efforts. Judy Shepard's in underscored a commitment to sustaining Matthew's aspirations for , as articulated in the foundation's documents, though operations initially relied on volunteer networks and modest funding amid widespread media coverage of the case. The entity's structure prioritized family involvement, with as co-founder, positioning it as a vehicle for long-term societal change rather than immediate legal redress.

Push for Federal Hate Crimes Legislation

In the wake of her son Matthew's murder on October 12, 1998, Judy Shepard, alongside her husband Dennis, initiated a sustained campaign to enact federal legislation addressing violent crimes motivated by the victim's actual or perceived sexual orientation. Their efforts focused on expanding existing hate crimes statutes, which prior to 2009 did not explicitly include sexual orientation at the federal level. Judy Shepard provided testimony before the U.S. Senate Committee on the during a March 22, 1999, hearing titled "Combating Hate Crimes: Promoting a Responsive and Responsible Role for the Federal Government," emphasizing the need for enhanced federal protections against bias-motivated violence. In her remarks, she recounted the circumstances of Matthew's and argued for legislative measures to prevent similar incidents, highlighting gaps in state-level responses. The proposed legislation, first introduced in 1999 as the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act, sought to authorize federal intervention in certain violent crimes motivated by bias against sexual orientation, among other characteristics. Despite repeated reintroductions in subsequent Congresses, the bill encountered significant opposition, including concerns over federal overreach and potential impacts on free speech and religious liberties, stalling passage during the administration of President George W. Bush. Rechristened the Hate Crimes Prevention Act and paired with provisions honoring James Byrd Jr.'s 1998 racially motivated murder, the measure advanced in the 111th . It passed the on April 29, 2009, and the on July 15, 2009, before being incorporated into the for Fiscal Year 2010 (Public Law 111-84). President signed the expanded Hate Crimes Prevention Act into law on October 28, 2009, at the , with Judy and present as honored guests. The legislation broadened federal authority to prosecute crimes motivated by bias related to , color, , national origin, gender, , , or disability.

Broader Public Engagement and Speaking

Judy Shepard has conducted extensive engagements, often alongside her Dennis, to share the story of their son Matthew's and for greater of LGBTQ+ individuals. These appearances, facilitated in part through the , emphasize themes of human dignity, diversity, and the prevention of hate-motivated violence by relating personal experiences to broader societal change. Her keynote addresses have included university events, such as the Shepard Symposium on at the in April 2018, where she discussed the legacy of her son's death in the context of ongoing advocacy for equality. Similarly, she delivered a convocation speech titled "The Legacy of " at on August 13, 2018, focusing on her experiences as a victim's mother and the need to combat prejudice. Earlier, in October 2005, Shepard spoke at as part of a Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/ awareness program, highlighting the ongoing impact of hate crimes. Shepard has also addressed professional and youth audiences, serving as a at the Anti-Defamation League's 13th Annual Youth Leadership Conference on November 13, 2019, engaging students and educators on foundation initiatives against bias. In 2008, she visited the , to speak on tolerance and diversity in commemoration of the tenth anniversary of Matthew's murder. Internationally, Shepard participated in a five-country tour across in fall 2012 at the U.S. State Department's request, promoting LGBTQ+ rights and anti-hate efforts. Media and organizational platforms have featured her testimony, including coverage of her remarks at the Leadership Summit in June 2019 and the National Equality Rally, where she underscored the role of personal narratives in policy and cultural shifts. She has appeared at events like the Campaign's Time to Thrive conference in 2020 and an international conference for GLBT professionals, delivering keynotes on victim experiences and justice reforms. These engagements continue, as evidenced by her 2023 reflections on advocacy amid evolving political landscapes, maintaining a focus on hope and acceptance despite setbacks.

Controversies and Alternative Perspectives

Debates Over Motive in the Murder

The murder of on October 12, 1998, has been predominantly framed as an anti-gay , with McKinney and Henderson convicted based on evidence including McKinney's initial "gay panic" defense claiming Shepard made sexual advances that provoked the assault. However, debates emerged questioning whether homophobia was the primary driver, positing instead that the attack stemmed from a botched tied to methamphetamine dealings in Laramie, Wyoming's underground drug scene. In a 2004 ABC 20/20 interview, McKinney stated he and Henderson targeted Shepard for robbery after failing to locate a drug dealer owing $10,000 in methamphetamine, believing Shepard carried cash or drugs from a bar encounter; he explicitly denied anti-gay animus as the motive, attributing the brutality to methamphetamine intoxication. Henderson corroborated this, emphasizing financial desperation over Shepard's sexuality. These claims aligned with trial evidence of the perpetrators' drug habits—McKinney had stolen tools earlier that night for quick cash—and Shepard's own reported involvement in crystal meth distribution, though prosecutors prioritized hate elements to secure convictions without capital punishment. Investigative journalist Stephen Jimenez's 2013 book , based on over 100 interviews with locals, , and associates, argued the killing arose from a dispute over drugs between acquaintances: Shepard and McKinney had prior methamphetamine transactions and a possible sexual encounter, complicating the random hate narrative. Jimenez cited police records and witness accounts indicating Laramie's meth epidemic influenced the violence, suggesting early media emphasis on hate overlooked these factors to amplify for hate crimes laws. Critics, including left-leaning outlets like the , dismissed Jimenez's work as selective, noting it downplayed McKinney's trial use of anti-gay slurs and epithets toward Shepard, while accusing it of aiding narratives minimizing victimization. Such rebuttals often stem from groups invested in the hate crime framing, potentially undervaluing empirical inconsistencies like the absence of prior anti-gay rhetoric from the killers beyond the assault. Empirical evidence supports multifaceted causation: toxicology reports confirmed in McKinney's system, correlating with impaired judgment and violence, while items (Shepard's shoes and wallet) were taken, consistent with financial motive over symbolic hate. Interviews with Albany County Sheriff's Rob DeBree, who led the investigation, later acknowledged drug elements but maintained hate as exacerbating, not absent. The debate persists due to institutional incentives favoring a clear archetype for legislative impact, as seen in the 2009 and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, despite unresolved questions about Shepard's undisclosed HIV status from possible in the drug milieu.

Critiques of the Dominant Narrative

Investigative journalist Stephen Jimenez, in his 2013 book The Book of Matt, challenged the prevailing account that Matthew Shepard's 1998 murder was primarily motivated by anti-gay animus, arguing instead that it stemmed from a botched drug transaction involving crystal methamphetamine. Jimenez, who interviewed over 100 individuals including perpetrator Aaron McKinney, contended that both Shepard and McKinney were embedded in Laramie's meth trade, with Shepard dealing small quantities and the attack arising from a dispute over unpaid drugs or robbery of Shepard's supply and cash. McKinney reportedly told Jimenez that Shepard owed him money from prior deals, and the violence escalated during a methamphetamine-fueled confrontation in McKinney's truck, not from a premeditated hate-based assault after luring Shepard from a bar. This alternative perspective draws support from post-trial statements by the convicted killers. In a 2004 ABC 20/20 interview, McKinney asserted that "drugs" and financial desperation—not Shepard's sexuality—drove the crime, claiming he was "strung out" on at the time, which impaired his judgment and fueled panic during the robbery. Accomplice Russell Henderson echoed this, denying homophobic intent and emphasizing economic motives tied to their addiction and need for quick money. Trial records further indicate that McKinney's blood tested positive for and shortly after the , corroborating claims of drug impairment, while the defense initially explored but abandoned a "gay panic" argument in favor of pleas highlighting and impulsivity. Critics of the framing, including Jimenez, highlight how early media and activist narratives—originating partly from McKinney's girlfriend Kristen Price's statements to police—emphasized to portray the killers as emblematic homophobes, sidelining evidence of Shepard's own drug involvement, status, and prior documented in medical records from 1998. This selective emphasis, they argue, mythologized Shepard as an , amplifying the story's role in advancing federal legislation like the 2009 and James Byrd Jr. , despite unresolved questions about primary causation. Such critiques note potential institutional biases in mainstream reporting and advocacy, where ideological commitments to a clear archetype may have downplayed empirically supported drug-related factors, as evidenced by overlooked witness accounts of Shepard's use in the months before October 6, 1998. Judy Shepard's advocacy, including her establishment of the Matthew Shepard Foundation in December 1998 and her memoir The Meaning of Matthew (2009), has perpetuated the dominant interpretation by framing the murder as a pivotal anti-LGBTQ hate incident, driving public campaigns and legislative efforts without engaging alternative evidentiary interpretations. Detractors contend this risks oversimplifying causal realities—such as the documented prevalence of methamphetamine violence in 1990s Wyoming, where Laramie saw related crimes surge—potentially misdirecting resources toward symbolic reforms over addressing underlying issues like rural drug epidemics. While the brutality of the assault remains undisputed, these analyses urge reevaluation of the narrative's foundations, prioritizing forensic and testimonial data over emotive symbolism in assessing the event's legacy.

Responses to Challenges

Judy Shepard and the have consistently maintained that the 1998 murder of was motivated by anti-gay bias, responding to alternative interpretations—such as claims of primary drug-related or motives—by rejecting them as unsubstantiated and refusing detailed rebuttals. In addressing investigative journalist Stephen Jimenez's 2013 book , which posited methamphetamine dealings between Shepard and killers McKinney and Henderson as the core driver rather than , the Foundation issued a statement declaring, "We do not respond to , rumour or theories." This approach emphasized fidelity to trial evidence, including McKinney's initial to police citing Shepard's as a for rage, over later contradictory accounts from interviewees. Shepard herself has echoed this stance in public statements and her 2009 memoir The Meaning of Matthew, where she recounts the crime's circumstances based on court testimonies and family knowledge, without engaging Jimenez's hypothesis of Shepard's alleged meth involvement or prior acquaintance with the perpetrators. Instead, she has focused on the ' documented homophobic slurs during the assault and the absence of federal charges at trial due to Wyoming's lack of such laws at the time, arguing these elements irrefutably evidenced bias. In rejecting political dismissals, such as U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx's 2009 characterization of the murder as a "," Shepard stated she found the insincere, reinforcing her view that such claims undermine victim advocacy without evidentiary basis. The Foundation's broader strategy has involved channeling responses into legislative and educational efforts, such as advocating for the 2009 Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which expanded federal protections partly in recognition of the case's symbolic role in highlighting anti-LGBTQ violence. Dennis Shepard, Matthew's father, complemented this in a 2013 reflection, asserting that law enforcement's pursuit of murder convictions demonstrated institutional acknowledgment of the hate element, countering narratives portraying indifference to gay victims. This non-confrontational posture toward revisionist accounts prioritizes sustaining public awareness of hate crimes over forensic debates, though critics argue it sidesteps potentially exculpatory details from McKinney's post-trial interviews suggesting panic over robbery exposure rather than pure animus.

Recognition and Awards

Presidential Medal of Freedom

Judy Shepard received the , the highest civilian honor awarded by the government, from President on May 3, 2024, during a ceremony at the . She was one of 19 recipients selected for the award that year. The citation commended Shepard for co-founding the in memory of her son, , who was murdered in 1998 in an incident officially described as a notorious anti-gay . It highlighted her advocacy leading to advancements in federal protections, including the expansion of laws to cover crimes based on victims' actual or perceived , , , or through the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009. Shepard's efforts were recognized for promoting dignity and respect for all individuals amid ongoing societal challenges related to bias-motivated violence. The described the honor as a testament to her decades-long commitment to following personal tragedy.

Other Honors and Tributes

In 2003, Judy and Dennis Shepard received the Special Award for Courageous Response to Hate Crime from the Office for Victims of Crime during National Crime Victims' Rights Week, recognizing their advocacy following their son's murder. That same year, Judy Shepard was honored with a Courage Award by the New York City Anti-Violence Project for her efforts in combating anti-LGBTQ violence. In 2009, Shepard received the Elizabeth Birch Equality Award at the Black Tie Dinner, an annual fundraiser supporting LGBTQ causes, presented by Elizabeth Birch in acknowledgment of her work advancing equality. Shepard and her husband were jointly awarded honorary degrees from in 2017, where they delivered the commencement keynote address, honoring their founding of the and promotion of tolerance. In 2015, they were recognized as Trailblazing Parents at Logo's Trailblazer Honors, a televised event celebrating parental advocacy for LGBTQ rights, with Shepard emphasizing unconditional family support in their acceptance speech. In 2019, Shepard received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from the , her son's alma mater, for her contributions to and against hate. On October 15, 2025, at the Out & Equal Workplace Summit, the Shepards were presented with the Arne Sorenson Vanguard Award by Out & Equal Workplace Advocates, saluting their lifelong commitment to LGBTQ inclusion and equality in professional environments.

Publications and Written Works

Books and Contributions

Judy Shepard authored the memoir The Meaning of Matthew: My Son's Murder in Laramie, and a World Transformed, published by Hudson Street Press (an imprint of Penguin Group) on September 8, 2009. The 264-page book recounts the Shepard family's immediate response to Matthew's assault on October 6, 1998, his death on October 12, 1998, and the subsequent legal proceedings against Aaron McKinney and Russell Henderson, who were convicted of first-degree murder in separate trials in 1999. Shepard reflects on her personal grief, the media frenzy, and her decision to channel the tragedy into advocacy through the Matthew Shepard Foundation, founded in December 1998. The narrative emphasizes Matthew's life as a 21-year-old student, portraying him as outgoing and resilient despite challenges with his , and critiques societal attitudes toward LGBTQ individuals prevalent in the late . Shepard details the emotional toll on her family, including her husband Dennis and daughter Logan, while advocating for expanded hate crimes protections, which culminated in the and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act signed into law on October 28, 2009. The received positive reviews for its raw honesty and has been cited in discussions of hate crime and family resilience, with over 2,500 ratings averaging 4.4 out of 5 as of recent data. Beyond her , Shepard has contributed forewords or endorsements to works on and hate crimes, though no additional authored books are documented in primary sources from the or her publisher profiles. Her writings reinforce the foundation's mission of promoting equality through education and policy reform, drawing directly from firsthand experiences rather than secondary analyses.

Ongoing Impact and Recent Activities

Continued Foundation Work

Judy Shepard has continued her leadership role as president of the Matthew Shepard Foundation's board of directors, focusing on amplifying her son's story to foster , awareness, and for LGBTQ individuals. She regularly travels nationwide for speaking engagements, emphasizing community actions to build inclusive environments and combat hate. These efforts build on her prior tenure as the foundation's from 1999 to 2009, during which she established key programs. The foundation sustains outreach initiatives, including hate crimes training for , with sessions delivered to 1,060 officers and 76 prosecutors since May 2017. It provides resources to support performances of and related works, aiding local groups in staging productions that explore reactions to Matthew Shepard's murder. Annual events, such as the December 2, 2024, honoring ceremony at —commemorating Matthew's birthday through prayer, song, and reflection—underscore ongoing commemorative activities available in-person and online. In 2024, the distributed $44,041 in to support aligned causes, reflecting sustained financial commitment to and programs. Shepard's public addresses persist into 2025, including a event at discussing Matthew's legacy alongside her husband Dennis. The organization's mission remains centered on eradicating hate through dialogue and visibility until LGBTQ safety is assured nationwide.

Reflections on LGBTQ Issues Post-2020

In the years following 2020, Judy Shepard has voiced profound disappointment over the persistence and resurgence of anti-LGBTQ amid broader societal gains in acceptance. Marking the 25th of her son's murder in October 2023, she stated that she "expected it to be better than it was 25 years ago," lamenting the of basic and the "absolute outward showing of hate" that continues to plague the community. She highlighted over anti-LGBTQ bills introduced in state legislatures in the preceding year, with 84 enacted, describing them as a "vicious attack" on the community, though she characterized such efforts as the "last gasp" of opponents fighting a losing battle. Shepard attributed heightened hostility to political rhetoric since , which she believes normalized disparagement of minorities, leading to unleashed hate and rising incidents of violence. Shepard has drawn parallels between contemporary challenges and earlier fights, such as the 2004 push against , noting a similar wave of bills in Republican-controlled states, including Wyoming's first anti-LGBTQ measure in nearly 50 years. Despite these setbacks, she acknowledged progress, including expanded visibility through events like Laramie PrideFest and cultural shifts that have encouraged more individuals to come out, expressing ecstasy that "we have come this far." In reflections on specific cases, such as the February 2024 death of teenager Nex Benedict following a school altercation in , Shepard emphasized the terror faced by youth, stating, "In my heart, I know this is a moment in time, and it’s going to pass. But also in that time, all these young people, everyone in the community is afraid, but young people are being terrorized." Amid these concerns, Shepard remains optimistic about the role of allies and younger generations in driving change, underscoring that allies possess "a very important voice" and outnumber the community, enabling amplified advocacy. She has stressed the continued relevance of sharing Matthew's story to empower , asserting that people "," while critiquing the absence of nationwide protections against job discrimination and the disproportionate targeting of groups like women of color in hate crimes. Despite political frustrations, particularly in conservative legislatures, she holds that youth raised in greater acceptance "will get it" and propel further .

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