Matt Comer
Judy Shepard's message to youth: Be true to yourself
LGBT advocate to speak in Charlotte on Feb. 20.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Longtime LGBT advocate Judy Shepard (www.matthewshepard.org), mother of slain 1998 hate crime victim Matthew Shepard, will speak in Charlotte on Sunday, Feb. 20, at Myers Park Baptist Church's Heaton Hall.
The event, which starts at 3 p.m., is co-presented by Campus Pride and Time Out Youth. Shepard, who recently released her memoir, “The Meaning of Matthew: My Son’s Murder in Laramie, and a World Transformed,” will speak with an audience Q&A to follow.
CampusPrideBlog.org editor Matt Comer had the opportunity to speak with Shepard about her advocacy, the relatively new, federal hate crimes legislation that bears her son's name and her message to young people today.
Campus Pride: The new hate crimes legislation passed in 2009 was something you've been working on for more than a decade. Now it is the law of the land. How do you feel about it? Is it perfect? Would you have liked more?
Judy Shepard: I definitely would have liked it sooner. We had eight very discouraging years under the Bush Administration when the gay community couldn't accomplish much and we lost ground and the state and local level. The law won't stop anyone from committing a hate crime, but it does educate and it brings attention to the problem. That's a good thing: Though we know the law won't stop the crimes, education will eventually lessen it, and perhaps in a perfect world would stop it. You know, we have all these laws on the books; if they worked to stop people from committing crimes we wouldn't need prisons. Telling our stories and making them real and human will be what stops these crimes; the African-American Civil Rights Movement has been dealing with the same things for years. We need to get people to understand that people are people and discriminating against them for any reason is not the best way to live your life. Kindness and empathy are the tools that make everybody happier and live a better life. I hope all the discussion and dialogue, that what happened to Matt, and all the work that Campus Pride or the Matthew Shepard Foundation or the Human Rights Campaign does continues to educate.
So, you believe that having laws like these on the books will help to precipitate cultural and social change?
I do. It sends a message of respect and signifies that the federal government acknowledges this issue and understands that there needs to be steps taken to address the issue. The government recognizes that there are special classes and that there is a gay community being singled out for discrimination and harassment. That sends an important message to the American people.
Your book has been a hit, but has it started to play a key role in your advocacy or has it enabled you to connect with portions of the community that maybe you couldn't connect with before the book came out?
We do get a lot of very kind comments and people say they are surprised how honest we were when we told the story. I don't think it has been out long enough to know whether this has been a help. I was doing this work a long time before the book came out.
Do you think parents – of children who are gay or straight – play the key role in making the world safer for all children?
I do. For one thing, they have standing as a parent to protect their children gay or straight and to actually stand up and speak for those who have a voice of their own, whether that's their own children or their children's friends. That's an amazing power, and I see it happening more and more even in Wyoming. Parents play a huge role. Parents of gay kids have a role that is a little bigger; I think they have to show their own kids in both word and action that they understand them and accept them as they are.
Are you encouraged by the growth of teens and young adult straight allies who are speaking out for the rights of LGBTQ people?
I am very encouraged. As I have been speaking around the country and as the years went by, I started noticing more and more straight young people standing up for the rights of everyone. I'm very encouraged, but then you hear something about some youth church group doing the opposite thing. We still have young people who aren't on board and understand that this is a civil rights issue. But that will change. Society is changing. Poll numbers are going up.
Campus Pride, of course, works with LGBTQ and straight ally young people in colleges. But people have this idea that once an LGBTQ young person gets out of high school that everything will be okay. That's not always the case. Why is it important for groups like Campus Pride or even the Matthew Shepard Foundation to continue to reach out and work with young people in college.
That transition from high school to college is hard whether you are gay or straight. I think it is important for gay kids because they might not have been out or comfortable in their high school and need to go to some place that is accepting and comfortable. That's some of the most important work that you all do, publicizing schools and encouraging schools to publicize themselves that they are LGBT friendly. For straight students to understand that their school recognizes equal rights across the board is also very important.
What is your message to young people today?
I think it is important to remember to be true to yourself. That's the most important thing you can do. Also remembering that your friends and your family are a source of support, hopefully. When you look back at my age at those difficult years of junior high school, high school or even college, you'll see the bigger picture and it will feel just like a blip. So, just hold on to your soul and make it through. That's my message.
Creating Change 2011: Growing the movement
Saturday was a blast here at Creating Change -- another day of phenomenal workshops, coalition building and friend-making.
Campus Pride presented our 2010 State of Higher Education for LGBT People yesterday, too. About 40 folks gathered to hear the presentation from Campus Pride Executive Director Shane Windmeyer and Chicora Martin, Assistant Dean of Students and Director, LGBTESSP, at the University of Oregon. Both Shane and Chicora did great in the absence of lead researcher Sue Rankin. Though Sue wasn't able to make it to the conference this weekend, her wonderful PowerPoint really made the presentation work.
There was good info and stats for any person working in higher ed, a very interested and engaged audience (including even undergrad students), and folks who definitely wanted to learn more and broaden the scope of the already-existing data Campus Pride has gathered. We love building new coalitions and relationships and welcome those who want to work with us to get our report into more hands on campuses and in communities. We really believe data is vital: Use it to back up your claims and support your initiatives on campus. Administrators love numbers, and the State of Higher Ed report's are hard to argue with.
Last but not least was the MasQueerAde Ball. Hundreds of young people and students gathered at the Hilton Minneapolis ballroom to hear performances by comedian Ben Lerman and spoken word artist Kit Yan. We couldn't have asked for a better end to our night!
Creating Change 2011: Campus organizing, Greek life, Athletics
Yesterday, Campus Pride was thrilled to have 50 or so young adults for our day-long Young Adult Leadership Institute preceding Creating Change. The conference, hosted by the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force, officially started last night with comedian Kate Clinton starting it off right with laughs, wit and humor.
Today, 2,000 people are making their rounds to sessions ranging from social media activism and campus organizing to transgender inclusion in faith communities and sessions on polling and surveying. There's something for everyone here in Minneapolis (and, if you've never come to a Creating Change, we highly recommend you check it out next year).
Of the thousands of conference attendees, a significant portion are youth and young adults. It's so exciting to see so many young faces dot the crowd. Students from across the country have come to network with each other and learn invaluable ways they can begin to make change on their campuses and in their communities.
(Photo right: Bucknell University Assistant Provost Robert Midkiff discusses his campus' safe space programs at Creating Change 2011.)
This morning, Campus Pride staff got the chance to stop in on a couple sessions on campus organizing. In particular, we were pretty impressed with the session presented by Bucknell University on creating safe spaces in Greek life and in athletics programs. Their unique, student-led and -driven safe spaces programming has truly made a difference on their campus and can be a great model for others.
As we headed to our Bucknell University session, however, we were stopped by a small photo exhibit from Jeff Sheng's "Fearless" exhibit. The photos document and chronicle the lives of out, LGBTQ college and high school athletes. Sheng takes an amazing photograph, for sure, but it's the stories of these amazingly brave young people that really pull on our heartstrings. Check out the photos: www.fearlesscampustour.org.
Extra: Be sure to follow us on Twitter, @campuspride, for live updates from Creating Change!
Are you at Creating Change? Stop by our Campus Pride table on the third floor of the Hilton for great resources and information on how to get involved with Campus Pride or create change in your schools.
Creating Change 2011: Identifying challenges, personal leadership styles and pursuing success
Campus Pride's Queer It Up Young Adult Leadership Institute at Creating Change 2011 has been a blast. We're winding down the day, which is sad because we've grown to love every body here! At least we have the rest of the weekend to continue getting to know you!
After lunch, the group tackled conflict management. Every organization, gay or straight, experiences unique dynamics. Learning how to approach conflicts and doing it successfully can grow your group and ensure its longevity.
How would you approach an individual member in your group? How would you address conflict when approaching a larger group of members? What resources do student organizations have in tackling these challenges and seeking solutions?
These are important questions made a little bit easier if one has a sense of their own leadership and conflict management styles. People deal with conflict and other difficult situations in different ways. Being aware of your own personality as well as the personalities of your fellow student leaders can make a response to conflict run more smoothly.
The group is having phenomenal conversation on all of these complex issues. As we get closer to the end of our day-long institute we'll take all of these conversations and bring them to a head, asking each of our student leaders to draft an action plan for creating change on their campuses and in their communities.
Identifying challenges, seeking success
Students discuss in small groups issues with which they've experienced a challenge or issues with which they've already experienced success.
Creating Change 2011: What is a leader?
What is a leader? What are the qualities and characteristics of a leader? Their values and beliefs?
Young adult and student leaders at Campus Pride's Queer It Up Young Adult Leadership Institute at Creating Change today are answering that question.
According to our students, leaders can be well-rounded, have a reach-for-the-stars mentality, supports the grassroots, is strong and passionate, outspoken, dedicated and responsible, respectful and understand, a good listener, and confident, courageous and brave.
But leaders come in all sorts of different shapes, sizes and styles. Circumstances also call for different types of leaders: for example, a single person can't be in expert in every field. That's why group work, collaboration and alliance building is so important.
And, one last important characteristic to note: Leaders are human, like you and me.
Draw it out: What is a Leader?
A bright and chilly morning at Creating Change
The Campus Pride team and our phenomenal young people attending our day-long institute today are off to a great start! Bright minds, conversation and faces: We're happy to meet you, too!
About 40 young people are at the Queer It Up Young Adult Leadership Institute today. They're from high schools and colleges alike and looking to build their leadership skills. Throughout the day, we'll guide them through several activities: Facing challenges and working toward successes on campus or in their communities, leadership style, conflict management, inclusion and more.
At the end of the day, each student will have the chance to draft an action plan to create change back at their campuses or in their communities. It will be an inspiring day, indeed!
Photos: Who Am I?
We all come to the table with multiple identities. Who we are impacts how we interact with the world. This session lets our young people delve a little deeper into who they are and what identities they bring to this group and your organizations.
Belmont University responds to criticism, changes policy
Last fall, news broke of two concerning stories at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn.
In November, Belmont University student Robbie Maris, president of the nascent Bridge Builders student group, said school administrators had denied his and other students' requests to form the group. Instead, university administrators pointed to a school-sanctioned discussion group on sexuality that meets twice monthly. At the time, Maris said the university-run discussion group isn't enough.
Then, in December, a women's soccer coach was dismissed after she announced she was having a child with her same-sex partner. Though the school's athletics director, Mike Strickland, said coach Lisa Howe left on her own volition, students and others rose up in protest.
Their criticisms have made some progress.
The Associated Press reported Wednesday that Belmont has added "sexual orientation" to its non-discrimination policy, though it remains unclear if the addition of the term will cover sexually-active LGB people.
From The AP:
- At the time of Howe's departure, [Belmont President Bob] Fisher said that the university does not consider sexual orientation in admissions or hiring decisions. On Wednesday, he said the policy change simply affirms the practices already in place.
Asked whether his statements could be taken to mean that Howe was not pressured to leave because she came out to students, Fisher said he could not talk about any specific cases.
"This is a great victory for the values of inclusion, human dignity and respect," Howe said in a statement. "I am grateful to the Belmont board for recognizing that being gay and being Christian are not mutually exclusive. This is a landmark day."
Several reporters wanted to know whether Belmont was making a distinction between sexual orientation and sexual practice.
Belmont's student code of conduct lists sex outside of marriage as "sexual misconduct." Since gays and lesbians cannot marry in Tennessee, there is no way for them to be sexually active without violating the code.
Campus Pride's 2011 Summer Leadership Camp will be held in Nashville in July at the nearby Vanderbilt University. Learn more: www.campuspride.org/camppride/
Gay student hailed as 'hero' in Arizona shootings
The shootings of a congresswoman, her staff, a federal judge and community members in Arizona has shocked the nation. Though a suspect is in custody, questions linger: Who is Jared Lee Loughner? Why did he do it? Was it politically- or racially-motivated?
Despite those uncertainties and unanswered questions, as in most situations like these, we see a bright glimmer of hope that even in dangerous and risky times everyday people can stand up, make a difference, save lives and become true heroes.
That's the case with 20-year-old Daniel Hernandez, an intern with Rep. Gabrielle Giffords' office. With the congresswoman on the day of the shooting, Daniel sprang into action once he heard gunshots. With training as a CNA, Daniel rushed to victims who he saw on the ground, checked their pulse and moved onto others with more serious injuries. Finally, he came to the Rep. Giffords. He sat her up, applied pressure to her head wound and stayed with her all the way to the hospital.
And, in all the resulting media coverage and Daniel's several appearances on national cable news networks, a stunning piece of information has been lost upon mainstream media audiences. Daniel, a junior at the University of Arizona, is gay.
Though LGBT Americans are chastised, castigated and scapegoated through law, religion, culture and society, we're still here. We still serve. We still save lives and inspire hope. Daniel did that on Jan. 8, and he deserves -- just like the millions more LGBT Americans serving in second-class citizenship -- the honor and recognition of performing an act of true service, courage, conviction and strength.
It's in times like these we can all take a collective pause and reflect upon the ideals and values of our society, the types of political and religious rhetoric we use, the place of true equality and dignity in law, and the way we treat some citizens despite their selfless heroism and devotion to their fellow citizens and humankind.
O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife.
Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life!
America! America!
May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness
And every gain divine!
More campus safety victories for URI students
In September, Campus Pride Blog chronicled the efforts of LGBTQI and straight ally student leaders at the University of Rhode Island in their quest to ensure safer and more welcoming learning, living and working environments on campus.
In response to several anti-LGBTQI incidents on campus and lackisdaisical response by university administrators, several students began a 24-hour sit-in in the student union. The protest lasted for two weeks, until students received many of the requests they'd made of URI administration.
Last week, URI administrators made good on another student request; URI has hired its first-ever associate vice chancellor for community, equity and diversity.
According to The Providence Journal, Kelly Friedman, the former executive director of diversity and equity at the University of Vermont, began work in the associate vice president position last week.
Friedman will report directly to URI President David Dooley and will supervise the Women’s Center; Multicultural Center; Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Transgender Center; the Bias Incident Response Team; and the Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity.
Read up on the history of URI's LGBTQI student protest...
Anti-gay hate groups fight listing by SPLC
In the last few weeks, anti-gay hate groups have been fighting tooth-and-nail against their recent listing as hate groups by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC).
The Family Research Council has been among the most outspoken. In fact, they and other affected groups took out full page ads in D.C.-area newspapers this week. Among the signatories asking the SPLC to "Start Debating" and "Stop Hating" is House Speaker-designee John Boehner. The SPLC has issued their own response, even as other recently named hate groups, like the American Family Association, attempt to clarify the record.
Via PamsHouseBlend.com, interviews by progressive radio/TV host David Pakman and AFA's Bryan Fischer. In the interview, Pakman asks Fischer about the 10 anti-gay myths SPLC says these hate groups disseminate, along with giving Fischer a chance to refute his group's general listing as a hate group.
Unfortunately for Bryan Fischer, his interview might very well come off as providing further proof of his group's trip into delusion and hate. Watch below...
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