Year

1998

Show#

10

Description

Tribute to Matthew Shepard.

Show Information

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In cooperation with the Human Rights Campaign, GNN breaks with the show's typical format to bring the poignant national candle light vigil for Matthew Shepard held at the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, DC. This event was held two days after the brutal and shocking beating death of the gay college student in Laramie, Wyoming.

The murder of college student Matthew Shepard , age 21, sparked outrage, tears and candle light vigils across the nation. The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NLGTF) and the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) organized the national candle light vigil at the U.S. Capitol to honor Matthew Shepard and to demand passage of hate crimes legislation.

Many Hollywood stars joined members of Congress and a crowd of nearly 10,000 at the national vigil. The speakers on this GNN show include:

Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.), Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), Rep. Richard Gephardt (D-Mo.), and former Sen. Alan K. Simpson (R-Wyo.); actors Ellen DeGeneres, Anne Heche, Kristen Johnston ("3rd Rock from the Sun"), and Dan Butler ("Frasier") joined two of Matthew's best friends, Walt Boulden and Alex Trout. Matthew's friends spoke about the compassionate and energetic Matthew Shepard they had known. Walt said that Matt would never bounce up from his sofa anymore and that, "no matter what good might come of this event the price was too high!"

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