Matthew Wayne Shepard (December 1, 1976 – October 12, 1998) was a gay American student at the University of Wyoming who was beaten, tortured, and left to die near Laramie on the night of October 6, 1998. He was taken by rescuers to Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins, Colorado, where he died six days later from severe head injuries received during his beating.
Suspects Aaron McKinney and Russell Henderson were arrested shortly after the attack and charged with first-degree murder following Shepard's death. Significant media coverage was given to the murder and what role Shepard's sexual orientation played as a motive for the commission of the crime.
The prosecutor argued that McKinney's murder of Shepard was premeditated and driven by greed. McKinney's defense counsel countered by arguing that he had intended only to rob Shepard but killed him in a rage when Shepard made a sexual advance toward him. McKinney's girlfriend told police that he had been motivated by anti-gay sentiment but later recanted her statement, saying that she had lied because she thought it would help him. Both McKinney and Henderson were convicted of the murder, and each of them received two consecutive life sentences.
Shepard's murder brought national and international attention to hate crime legislation at both the state and federal level. In October 2009, the United States Congress passed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act (commonly the "Matthew Shepard Act" or "Shepard/Byrd Act" for short), and on October 28, 2009, President Barack Obama signed the legislation into law.Following her son's murder, Judy Shepard became a prominent gay rights activist and established the Matthew Shepard Foundation. Shepard's death inspired films, novels, plays, songs, and other works.
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Some of their strengths
Matthew Shepard has many admirable traits.
Based on spiritual traditions from around the world, they are someone who can be described as Energetic, Generous, Creative, Brave, Passionate, Altruistic, and Innovative.
Adventurous and Independent
According to Mysticism’s Astrology tradition, Matthew Shepard is someone who is an adventurous, independent, and energetic person, who is insightful, imaginative, generous, and honest. A person who defines themself by their friends and what groups they belong to.
Warm and Caring
Based on Daoism’s Ba-Zi or ‘Chinese Zodiac’ tradition, people who know Matthew Shepard well know them as someone who can be warm, caring, and compassionate, like a lamp or torch.
Altruistic and Innovative
According to Hinduism’s Jyotisha or ‘Vedic Astrology’ tradition, many would also describe Matthew Shepard as someone who is altruistic, inventive, energetic, and socially-conscious.
Who is inventive, open-minded and inquisitive, optimistic and cooperative, and who loves working together with others.
Charismatic and Playful
Based on the Mayan Tzolk’in or ‘Mayan Astrology’ tradition, Matthew Shepard is someone who is used to being the center of attention, and who has a playful approach to dealing with life.
They are also someone who is calm, comforting, and stable, and who loves stability and being a good friend and loyal partner.
Optimistic and Quick-witted
According to Judaism’s Kabbalah tradition, Matthew Shepard tends to be someone who is optimistic and spontaneous, and who has a clear and analytical mind. Who can be witty, with a happy-go-lucky- nature that makes others cheerful, and who possesses an adventurous zest for life.
Some of Matthew Shepard's challenges
While Matthew Shepard has many strengths, nobody is perfect. They also have some challenging traits they need to manage.
For example, Matthew Shepard can be Rebellious, Pleasure-seeking, Impulsive, Careless, Short-tempered, Emotionally Distant, and Anxious.
Impulsive and Careless
One of Matthew Shepard's key challenges is that they are someone who can be impulsive and careless.
Matthew Shepard must also exercise caution as they can be short-tempered and aggressive.
Anxious and Inflexible
Matthew Shepard is someone who can be high-strung, impatient, and inflexible, who can be "penny wise and pound foolish", have poor listening skills, and who can be intolerant of people who share a different world view.
Irritable and Callous
Finally, Matthew Shepard also can be short-tempered, childish, insensitive, and careless at times.
