Matthew Shepard Foundation
The Matthew Shepard Foundation was founded by Dennis and Judy Shepard in memory of their 21-year old son, Matthew, who was murdered in an anti-gay hate crime in Wyoming in 1998. The Foundation focuses on three primary areas: erasing hate in our society, helping youth organizations establish environments where young people can feel safe and be themselves and fighting for equality for all LGBT Americans. Keep abreast of the latest news from the Foundation, including the progress of the Matthew Shepard Act in Congress, on the organization's website. You can also share your story, donate and support the work of the organization.
The Matthew Shepard Foundation was founded by Dennis and Judy Shepard in memory of their 21-year old son, Matthew, who was murdered in an anti-gay hate crime in Wyoming in 1998. The Foundation focuses on three primary areas: erasing hate in our society, helping youth organizations establish environments where young people can feel safe and be themselves and fighting for equality for all LGBT Americans. Keep abreast of the latest news from the Foundation, including the progress of the Matthew Shepard Act in Congress, on the organization's website. You can also share your story, donate and support the work of the organization.
At the conclusion of one of his killer's trials on November 4, 1999, Matthew's father, Dennis, delivered a moving speech in open court. It is one of those speeches that leave you breathless with despair as his words pierce your heart. Take the few minutes to listen to his wise and caring words about his son.
LGBT resources
American Civil Liberties Union: Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Project
The ACLU's LGBT Project fights discrimination and moves public opinion on LGBT rights through the courts, legislatures and public education across five issue areas: relationships, schools & youth, parenting, transgender and discrimination. Site visitors can get more involved through the "Get Busy. Get Equal" initiative, which provides tools on how to achieve LGBT equality.
The ACLU's LGBT Project fights discrimination and moves public opinion on LGBT rights through the courts, legislatures and public education across five issue areas: relationships, schools & youth, parenting, transgender and discrimination. Site visitors can get more involved through the "Get Busy. Get Equal" initiative, which provides tools on how to achieve LGBT equality.
Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD)
This organization is dedicated to promoting and ensuring fair, accurate and inclusive representation of people and events in the media as a means of eliminating homophobia and discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. GLAAD's website has a Calls to Action page that encourages people to get involved with media campaigns and report media defamation.
This organization is dedicated to promoting and ensuring fair, accurate and inclusive representation of people and events in the media as a means of eliminating homophobia and discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. GLAAD's website has a Calls to Action page that encourages people to get involved with media campaigns and report media defamation.
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
This gay rights advocacy organization tracks hate crime statistics and has compiled state-by-state status reports on anti-hate crimes legislation. Learn about specific issues and actions in your state.
This gay rights advocacy organization tracks hate crime statistics and has compiled state-by-state status reports on anti-hate crimes legislation. Learn about specific issues and actions in your state.
Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG)
Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays has grassroots chapters around the United States that provide support and services to LGBT people and their families.
Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays has grassroots chapters around the United States that provide support and services to LGBT people and their families.
Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC)
The Southern Poverty Law Center fights discrimination and works on tolerance education programs. The group's website provides information on hate crimes, including documentation of hate incidents, and a hate groups map. You can add yourself to SPLC's Stand Strong Against Hate map to indicate your opposition to racism in your community. You can also find out about more ways to take action, and you can subscribe to email news updates and donate to the cause.
The Southern Poverty Law Center fights discrimination and works on tolerance education programs. The group's website provides information on hate crimes, including documentation of hate incidents, and a hate groups map. You can add yourself to SPLC's Stand Strong Against Hate map to indicate your opposition to racism in your community. You can also find out about more ways to take action, and you can subscribe to email news updates and donate to the cause.
Anti-Violence Project
This organization, based in New York City, provides counseling, advocacy, a bilingual hotline for victims of violence and more. It is dedicated to eliminating hate violence and sexual assault, specifically toward the LGBT and HIV-affected communities. You can take action by donating to or volunteering for the Anti-Violence Project.
This organization, based in New York City, provides counseling, advocacy, a bilingual hotline for victims of violence and more. It is dedicated to eliminating hate violence and sexual assault, specifically toward the LGBT and HIV-affected communities. You can take action by donating to or volunteering for the Anti-Violence Project.
Lambda Legal
Lambda Legal is a national organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and those with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work. Lambda Legal's "Take Action" page offers ways for people to get involved and informed by signing up for updates and volunteering legal services, if applicable.
Lambda Legal is a national organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and those with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work. Lambda Legal's "Take Action" page offers ways for people to get involved and informed by signing up for updates and volunteering legal services, if applicable.
International Lesbian Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA)
This network of national and local groups works to campaign for LGBT rights around the world. Website visitors can find out about policies and actions in different regions, read articles about issues and join the organization.
This network of national and local groups works to campaign for LGBT rights around the world. Website visitors can find out about policies and actions in different regions, read articles about issues and join the organization.
Note from author: These are only a few resources that I have found helpful. I urge you though to look up local resources for your area and if none, take a chance, fight so that no one else has to be hurt by hate. Law of Numbers is fictional, but the the things they experienced are very real and maybe just maybe we as a society can come together and prevent what happened to my couple from happening to anyone else.
I want to thank all of you for your kind reviews and support of this story and the beautiful Whitlock family. It has been one hell of a journey :-)
