What
was Matthew really like?
Everyone wants to know what Matthew was "really" like...and
of course they should because Matt was amazing. To pick one or two favorite
traits would be difficult. He was one of the most kind and loving people
I have ever met. He smiled all the time and said hello to everyone. He
smoked cigarettes like they were going out of style and laughed often.
He had a dark side that matched his light. He suffered from a serious
depression problem. When he was down, it was like nothing you can imagine.
He knew himself well and always took pride in his life and his accomplishments.
Matt had the most wonderful smile in the world. Matt was one of the most
interesting friends I have ever had. Not because he never worn jeans or
tennis shoes, or because he only watched news programing on his tv but
because of the way he made me prepare his coffee. I would make his skim
latte which he would “sip” on until it was cold. At which point
he asked me to reheat it but I had to use the steam wand because it made
it taste better! He had some funny traits that one! Matt loved art, and
he had prints of many famous paintings on the walls of his apartment.
But think one of the coolest things about Matt was that he collected these
little colored glass bottles...he was obsessed with them. He had one in
every shade, size and shape. They were all over the place, and picking
them out made him so happy. Damn he was cute at times :) He got a great
deal of joy out of the simple things in life.
How
did you meet Matthew?
I met
Matt while attending school in Casper, Wy. I got a call from one of the
instructors at the college that said she knew of a young man that was
looking to meet other gay college aged kids. I just happened to be the
leader of a pretty fun gay pack! Matt called me a few days later and I
intorduced him to my groups of friends. He quickly became one of the liveliest
in the group!
At the end of the semester I moved to Denver, CO and Matthew did the same.
We lived just a few blocks away for the next year. Matt left Denver to
go back to school in Laramie.
What
are Matthew’s parents like?
Judy
and Dennis are two of the most wonderful people in the world. I never
thought they
would stand up for Matt the way they have. Judy is rather shy even though
she goes everywhere speaking and Dennis is just down right charming! Judy
resides in Casper, WY where she is the executive director of The Matthew
Shepard Foundation. Dennis is still in Saudi Arabia working as an oil
rig inspector. Judy continues to do such valuable work and attempts to
further education day after day. I sometimes wonder how she does it, but
secretly I know. Matthew has one brother, but not many people know that..he
is younger...and the family kept him out of the media to protect him.
Judy and Dennis are a shining example to many parents out there that have
a gay child. If you ever get a chance to see Judy speak make sure you
can attend. She is amazing!
Where
were you when you heard about Matthew’s attack?
I was working and living in Denver, CO. I learned of Matthew’s attack
from one of my regular customers at the coffee shop where I worked. I
went home and called my sister in Laramie that filled me in on the details
of the attack. Then with the rest of the nation I watched the story on
the 10 o’clock news.
What
kind of music did Matthew like?
Matt liked all music. He was a fan of folk music in particular. He was
a wierd one when it came to music. He liked people like John Denver, and
shit like that...I think he was like a 70 year old man trapped in a 22
year old body. I loved watching him attempt to dance to “It’s
Raining Men”. Matt couldn’t dance to save his soul! But the
song that sticks out most in my mind is Merideth Brooks song “Bitch”.
We had our own lyrics for the song:
I’m a bitch, I’m a whore
I’m a goddess on the floor!
Q: I was recently in a production of The Laramie Project in Guelph, Ontario (Jon Peacock and Andy Paris). One of the things that I wondered about in the play was Matt's HIV status. Reggie Fluty talked about being treated to avoid infection as she had cuts on her hands and crappy rubber gloves. Was Matt really HIV positive or was that an over-reaction based on assumptions that all gay men have AIDS?
A: Matthew was in fact infected with the HIV virus. It was first reported in a Vanity Fair article. Matthew's family and most of his friends were unaware of his HIV status, and only became aware of it after his attack. When he contracted HIV is unknown but I assume during his time in Denver, as doctors have told us that the infection was a rather recent one.
Q: I'm also curious about the Homecoming parade, it was painted in such a wonderful light in the play, but I thought there was also some inappropriate stuff that happened on the part of some guys from a frat.
A: These are two different homecoming parades that you are asking about. The first in Laramie (University of Wyoming) is the one talked about in the play and was in fact every bit as moving as the play describes. The second homecoming parade was held in Ft. Collins for Colorado State University. It was during this parade that a frat displayed a scarecrow on their float with the word gay written across the face. All of the students involved were punished accordingly.
How
has your life changed?
How has
my life changed...the better question is how has my life not changed.
I went from being the most normal 21 year old kid to being thrust into
a world I wasn't even sure I understood. My life was turned upside down,
sideways, and round about, but in the end I think things have come out
pretty damn wonderful. I have had opportunities to educate, enlighten
and learn from so many people. The greatest gift I have ever received
was the gift of Matthew's friendship. My life would be so very different
if I had never met him.