Judy and Dennis Shepard at Washington National Cathedral in D.C. on Oct. 26. Their son Matthew’s ashes were interred in the church’s crypt. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
President Joe Biden issued a statement Oct. 12 marking the 25th anniversary of the death of Matthew Shepard in an anti-gay hate crime that “shocked our nation and the world.”
“Matthew’s tragic and senseless murder shook the conscience of the American people,” the president said. “And his courageous parents, Judy and Dennis Shepard, turned Matthew’s memory into a movement, galvanizing millions of people to combat the scourge of anti-LGBTQI+ hate and violence in America.”
That work, Biden said, is far from finished “as threats and violence targeting the LGBTQI+ community continue to rise,” adding, “I once again call on Congress to send the Equality Act to my desk so that we can ensure LGBTQI+ Americans have full civil rights protections under our laws — because every American is worthy of dignity, acceptance and respect.”
Biden noted his involvement, when vice president, in enacting the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which was signed into law by then-President Barack Obama in 2009 and expanded federal hate crime laws to include those motivated by the victim’s sexual orientation, gender identity and disability.
“This legislation is a lasting tribute to Matthew, a testament to the relentless advocacy of Judy and Dennis, and an important step forward for our country,” Biden said. “I was proud to honor Judy and Dennis as uniters — Americans who stand against hate and heal our divides — at the United We Stand Summit here at the White House last year.”
“God bless Judy, Dennis, and all those who are grieving and remembering Matthew today,” he said.
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