Considering Matthew Shepard: A Boston Day of Reflection

On the night of October 6, 1998, a gay twenty-one-year-old college student named Matthew Shepard was lured from a Wyoming bar by two young men, savagely beaten, tied to a remote fence, and left to die.

That same night, Gay Awareness Week was beginning at the University of Wyoming, and the keynote speaker was LESLEA NEWMAN, discussing her book Heather Has Two Mommies. Shaken, the author addressed the large audience that gathered, but she remained haunted by Matthew’s murder.

On Saturday, February 4th at the Boston Public Library, LESLEA NEWMAN will present “Continues to Make a Difference: The Story of Matthew Shepard,” a program using poetry, photographs and creative visualization to explore the impact of Matthew Shepard’s murder in the world.

This free day-long program, preceded by a reception with JULIE BURROS, Boston Chief of Arts and Culture, will be followed by a book signing and a performance by MELISSA FERRICK and the Children’s Choir, and anticipates the presentation of celebrated Grammy-winners CRAIG HELLA JOHNSON and choral ensemble Conspirare’s performance of Johnson’s new musical masterwork, Considering Matthew Shepard, on Sunday, February 5 at Boston Symphony Hall.