Contact Congress for Matthew
There has been some progress in getting hate crimes legislation passed in some states, but this continues to be a very slow progress. The US Congress has continually refused to pass legislation that would permit the FBI to investigate attacks against gays and lesbians such as the brutal murder of Matthew Shepard. Now that Republican, George W. Bush is our new President, these efforts will become somewhat more difficult. Mr. Bush has shown a hard line with regard to GLBT issues in the past, and there is no reason to believe that this will change.

The Hate Crimes Prevention Act (HCPA), H.R.3081 and S.1529, would amend current federal law to include real or perceived sexual orientation, gender, and disability so the FBI would be able to investigate and prosecute violent hate crimes against gays, lesbians, and bisexuals. Current law already allows investigation and prosecution on the basis of race, religion, national origin and color, but doesn't include sexual orientation.

Please email your US Senators and House Members and tell them to pass the federal Hate Crimes Prevention Act (H.R.3081 and S.1529) immediately - and don't forget to sign the email with your name and address.  (The Web links above will assist you in identifying and emailing your Member of Congress).  Also, call the Congressional switchboard at 202/224-3121 and ask for your Member's office, then tell them to pass the Act as well.  Congress will likely close up for the year in the next few days - don't let them leave Washington without passing this bill in Matthew's name.

Also, Please email the President and Vice-President and urge them to suport the Hate Crimes Protection Action.

Draft email:

Dear XXXXX:
     I am writing to urge you to pass the Hate Crimes Prevention Act (H.R.3081 and S.1529).  As you may know, in October, 1998, Matthew Shepard, a 21 year old University of Wyoming student,  was brutally tied up, tortured, pistol-whipped and then left to die in Laramie, Wyoming because he was gay.  Wyoming still does not have a hate crimes law - and only 21 states and the District of Columbia include sexual orientation-based crimes in their hate crimes statutes. 
     The FBI may not have jurisdiction to investigate the Shepard case without passage of the Hate Crimes Act.  You can change that sad fact.  With hate crimes against gay men and lesbians on the rise last year, while crime overall decreased, it is imperative that Congress stand up to hate and violence and pass the Hate Crimes Prevention Act now. 
     Thank you,
     YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS

Send Email to Matthew's Family
Now more than ever, we should remember Matthew's family - please send them a quick email, letting them know they're in our thoughts:  matthewshepard@wyoming.com  

Send Donations to The Matthew Shepard Foundation  
Mail contributions to :
Matthew Shepard Foundation
4010 Poplar Street #299
Casper, WY 82601

For those wanting information about the Foundation forward your questions to:

Media and other Inquiries:
Matthew Shepard Foundation
191 University Blvd., Suite 724
Denver, CO 80206
phone 303-368-9636
fax 303-368-9614
Email: info@matthewshepard.org