Remembering Matthew Shepard

Nov 22, 2009 10:07

Online reviewers have called My Invented Life a lot of things.

Hilarious-AfterEllen.com

Charming-Lauren’s Crammed Shelf

Witty and Satisfying-Library Lounge Lizard

These words are all very gratifying. I’m always happy when someone gets my sense of humor I’ve also gotten comments about how I address the issue of sexual orientation in my novel. One blogger in particular, Anna of Book Nerds, mentioned she was glad I’d included Matthew Shepard in my story.

Matthew Shepard was a college student in Laramie Wyoming. One night at a bar, two teen-aged boys offered him a ride. Instead of taking him home, though, they tied him to a fence in a remote location, beat him, and left him there. All because he was gay. The next day a jogger found Matthew and got him to a hospital. He died later from the injuries.

I had heard Matthew Shepard ’s story before writing My Invented Life. But as I wrote, I learned more about him and read the Laramie Project, a play based on the events surrounding his death and the trial afterwards. The play moved me deeply. So I included Matthew in my novel as part of Roz’s personal awakening.

After languishing for twelve years, last month the Matthew Shepard Act was passed by Congress and signed into law. For the first time in history, LGBT people are protected from violence under hate crime law. Read more about it here.

lgbt, my invented life, hate crimes, matthew shepard

Previous post Next post
Up
[]