Mother of Matthew Shepard brings son's legacy to Penn State York

York, Pa. -- "The Legacy of Matthew Shepard," a lecture sponsored by Penn State York featuring Judy Shepard, Matthew's mother, is set for 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 2, at the Strand-Capitol Performing Arts Center in York.

In October 1998, Matthew Shepard, a 21-year-old student at the University of Wyoming, was abducted, robbed, beaten and left to die on a fence post on the prairie in Laramie, Wyo., because he was gay. The incident sparked nationwide vigils and campaigns for the adoption of anti-hate legislation across the United States.

Speaking from a mother's perspective, Judy Shepard has made the prevention of hate crimes the focus of her efforts, and urges her audiences to make their schools and communities safer for everyone, regardless of their race, sex, religion or sexual orientation. Since her son's death, Shepard has used her grief to make a difference to ensure that no other parent will have to endure what she has.

Tickets for "The Legacy of Matthew Shepard" are free and availalbe at the Student Affairs Office at Penn State York, the York Daily Record offices on 122 S. George Street, or Borders Books, Music & Cafe, 3000 Whiteford Road in East York.

The program is being brought to the area by Rainbow Paws, a student organization at Penn State York. The program is also sponsored by the Penn State York Student Activity Fee, the Student Government Association, the Commission on Gay Lesbian Bisexual Equity, the Campus Diversity Committee, the Penn State York Bookstore and many area businesses, groups and individuals.

Additional free events have been planned leading up to Shepard's presentation, including a film screening of "The Laramie Project" at noon Feb. 24 in the Community Room of the Joe and Rosie Ruhl Student Community Center on campus.