Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act

(Community Matters) Passage of the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act is the very first time our LGBT community has ever been afforded equality in federal legislation. And, it represents 11 years of advocacy by Matthew’s parents, Judy & Denise Shepard who lost their son to murder by torture for being gay. As most know, he was beaten to near death for being gay, then left to die hung from a barbed wired fence in Wyoming.

Wyoming Bishop Bruce Caldwell

A lot of us gathered at the Southeast gate as we awaited entry to the White House for the ceremony marking the signing of the legislation. After greeting Elizabeth Birch, Terry Bean, Paul Horning, Ray Buckley, Joe Solmonese and many others, I noticed an Episcopal Bishop alone in the crowd. Of course I had to introduce myself.

How lucky I did. Bishop Bruce Caldwell was Matthew Shepard’s bishop. Matthew had been a acolyte in the church. Bishop Caldwell presided over Matthew’s funeral and is a friend to Judy & Denise.

We also share a good friend in Bishop Rickel of Seattle as well as acquaintances with Texas Bishop Doyle, retired Bishop Jack Spong, the late Rev Will Spong and a few others. We hung out quite a bit in the White House. I’m surprised how much it meant to me to have a leader of my church with me during this occasion. Frankly, I’m surprised how spiritual I found the entire event.

Betty Byrd Boatner and Louvon Harris joined the Shepards on the stage with President Obama. They are the sisters of James Byrd who was tied by chain to the back of a truck and dragged cross country.

Attorney General Eric Holder

Chmn Barney Frank

Not very chatty 🙂 but I was glad to be able to thank him for his leadership

David Mixner

It was great to see David. He and Tom Henderson were close friends and I worked with them when we raised money for the fight against Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. David’s just moved back to New York. His blog is terrific.

Karen Dixon

Activist Phil Attey (& former HRC board colleague)

David Axelrod & Rahm Emanuel

I didn’t get a chance to talk with Rahm, but I did just a bit to Axelrod. He’s a good friend of Karen & Nan’s as well as a friend of my cousins, Teresa & Juan. Wish I had with Rahm, really wanted to ask about Bill Owen.

Valerie Jarrett & Fred Hochberg

Fred’s also a former HRC board colleague, now Chmn & Pres of the Export-Import Bank

Nan Schaffer & Karen Dixon

Met Nan Schaffer & Karen Dixon at the National HRC dinner. They were also friends & table guests of Andy Tobias. Wonderful women recently relocated from Chicago and Botswana where Nan was conducting research on rhinoceros.

Paul Horning & Ray Buckley

Paul and I are on the DNC’s LGBT Leadershp Council together; he’s the c0-chair. Ray is vice chair of the DNC and chairman of the New Hampshire Democratic State Committee.

Most invitees were from the broader civil rights community, though, of course, I knew lots of the gay & lesbian leaders.

I’ve always loved the picture of Michael Mitchell under this painting. I should have been resting on the couch like MM 🙂

Quite amazing. Really wish Steven could have been with me. So thankful to so many for making this legislation happen – especially to President Obama for pushing for it and signing it. Unfortunately, Pres O didn’t hang around after the remarks. I did get to shake his hand and say hello . . . .