PLEASE BE PATIENT WHILE THIS PAGE LOADS, THANKS

Matthew Wayne Shepard was the 21 year old University of Wyoming student who was brutally beaten and tied to a buck fence and left to die with the constant Wyoming wind as his only companion. He was beaten and robbed because of his sexual orientation.

Please Remember Matthew!

This Page is Dedicated to the Memory of Matthew Wayne Shepard
and everyone (regardless of race, creed, or sexual orientation) who like Matthew and myself have been beaten and left to die by a another so-called human being.

Important note to everyone, whether you gay or straight or whatever: Please be extra careful with people that you meet for the first time, especially if you feel the least bit uncomfortable with them. Remember the life you save might be your own!

The Crime

MUST SEE*
*CLICK HERE TO SEE A SPECIAL JAVA PICTURE OF MATTHEW

MATTHEW SHEPARD IS NOW IN HEAVEN
Please pray for Matthew's family

THANK YOU

Reemember Matthew Shepard

My heart and prayers go out to Matthew's family, it is hard to lose a good person, be it son, brother, or just friend. I didn't know Matthew Shepard, but as soon as I heard about the vicious way he had been attacked I felt a bond with him, because I was beaten in a similar way on June 3, 1993. I prayed for him every day. I know that God loved Matthew Shepard and is now watching over him in Heaven.

Remember Matthew's Family!

CLICK HERE TO SEE MY STORY
UPDATED 11/21/98
Includes photos that were taken by the
sheriff's department on the day of the crime.

Wyoming Man Found Guilty Of Murder In Gay Killing
Click here for
TRIAL UPDATES
Updated 11/03/99

Accused Pleads Guilty In Wyoming Gay Murder Case

MCKINNEY SENTENCED

Also special page honoring Billy Jack Gaither
see below

Matthew's Parents Speak on National TV

Matthew Shepard Foundation

Wednesday, December 09, 1998

The following information was provided by Judy Shepard, Matthew's mother.

Every life needs meaning. Every death needs meaning.

The life and death of Matthew Shepard will continue to have meaning through the establishment of the Matthew Shepard Foundation. The Shepard family has created this Foundation to help people abandon ignorance, prejudice and hate. The Foundation will be dedicated to the principle of helping people move beyond tolerance to embrace and rejoice in diversity.

The energy and resources of the Matthew Shepard Foundation, in conjunction with the Matthew Shepard memorial fund, will be devoted to public awareness and education programs to ensure that what Matt lived for and believed in will help others believe as well.

This work will take the efforts of many. We hope that many will share their efforts and their resources so that many may share Matt's vision -- life is precious, we can work together to help each life have meaning and dignity.

Judy Shepard

About the Matthew Shepard Foundation
Donations may be sent to:
First National Bank of Wyoming
2020 Grand Ave.
Laramie, Wyoming (WY) 82070

For those wanting information about the Foundation forward your questions to:
Beech Street Law Office
123 S. Durbin
Casper, WY 82601

Judy Shepard
PO Box 4085
Casper, WY 82604

A mother from South Africa just signed my guestbook and told me about her son.

I was so touched by her memorial to him that I wanted to share her website with you.

"My son Emile committed suicide on 5 February 2006. He was gay and couldn't live with the idea of living a lie because admitting it would have put him in harm's way just like most other innocent gay people. I love and miss him so much and will never be able to accept that I couldn't help him. He self-medicated with drugs and that made his life spiral out of control. I don't think he realized that he couldn't help being who he was."

Rea mom of Emile de Miranda

Click on the picture below to go to Emile de Miranda Memorial Site.

This memorial website was created to remember our dearest Emile de Miranda who was born in South Africa Johannesburg on March 27, 1985 and completed suicide by hanging himself in a weeping willow tree on February 5, 2006 at the age of 20. You will live forever in our memories and hearts.

God Bless Emile de Miranda and His Family!

Matthew Wayne Shepard 1976-1998

Billy Jack Gaither

Billy Jack Gaither

Man convicted of capital murder in slaying of gay man

EDITORIAL

THE FOLLOWING IS A REPRINT FROM THE POUDRE VALLEY HOSPITAL'S WEB SITE (WHERE MATTHEW SPENT HIS FINAL DAYS).

Matthew Wayne Shepard
1976-1998

Friday, October 16, 1998

The following poem was written by Matthew's cousin, Megan Shepard. It was read at Matthew's funeral in Casper, Wyoming.

For Matthew

An angel with new wings
In a place a world away
Can once again begin to sing
God took him in his arms today
He blessed his soul with loving care
And took away his pain
His life story all would share
His memory on their hearts a stain
So young a heart destroyed
For a cause unforgotten
Another's mind deployed
The result a tragedy rotten
The tragic hero that's hard to find
A martyr with great courage
God's lamb in rare design
Never to be discouraged
Our love for him forever strong
His image will never fade
We'll meet him again before long
Temporary goodbyes we now must bade
Matty, I love you with all of my heart
I wish you only knew how much
You'll be happier with this brand new start
The world's hearts you have now touched.

With Love,

Megan

Please! Teach Your Childern!

To see the Java version of this picture that I created click here or at the top of this page.

For those who don't have Java browser's these links are at the bottom of this page.

Matthew's Mother has taken over ownership of "Matthew's Place" click on the logo above to go there, Thanks.

click for this week's free wallpaper poster
Click HERE to give away free wallpaper on YOUR site!

Click here for a beautifully done poster tribute to Matthew!

I would like to thank everyone who has visited this site (and all the other sites dedicated to Matthew Shepard) for caring enough about what happened to him to spend their time visiting these sites. Gary R.

This is a link to an excellent site which I highly recommend that everyone visit at least once. Just click on the starfish . Just use the back button on your browser to return to this page.

To Email Someone An Invitation To Visit This Site

Please Click On The "Pass-It-ON" Button, Thank You

Sign My Guestbook View My Guestbook

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE REST OF MY WEB SITE
or
CLICK HERE TO SEE MY STORY

http://www.texasdude.com/matthew.htm

Feel free to copy this banner to use as a link from your page to this page. (Or use the banner at the top of this page)
If reading these stories make just one person a little more careful when they first meet someone new it might save their life!

midi-stairway to heaven

How to help

Where to send donations, support:

About the Matthew Shepard Foundation
Donations may be sent to:
First National Bank of Wyoming
2020 Grand Ave.
Laramie, Wyoming (WY) 82070

-------------- END

Get a GoStats hit counter

Visitors Since October 12, 1998

The ABC's of Friendship

Click on the Eagle to download this and other images.

Another Must See Page, Click Here

Thank You, Gary (TexasDude)

This Page is Dedicated to the Memory of Matthew Wayne Shepard and everyone (regardless of race, creed, or sexual orientation) who like Matthew and myself have been beaten and left to die by a another so-called human being.