Laramie Resident Reflects On Shepard Anniversary

News Type: Opinion — Seeded on Sun Oct 12, 2008 1:27 AM EDT

Article Source: Newsweek

us-news, human-rights, newsweek, gay-rights, bigotry, homophobia, matthew-shepard

In 1998, the year that Matthew Shepard died in Laramie, Wyo., University of Wyoming student Jim Osborn was elected president of the school's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) support group. What followed next wasn't quite what Osborn expected: speaking to national news outlets, hosting candlelight vigils within the community and, since then, keeping the legacy of Shepard alive in Laramie. Since graduating, he's become an employee in the school's office of diversity, so he's the right man to ask what has changed in Wyoming, what needs to happen nationwide in regards to gay rights and how we should all respond one decade after the death of Shepard. He spoke to NEWSWEEK's Kurt Soller. Excerpts:

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Maxwell Despard

There's a risk for anyone to come out. It's easier today, but I don't think it's easy—there's always a risk associated with coming out. Youths have been the victim of domestic violence when their parents find out, people have lost their jobs, or kids have been evicted from their apartments. Quite frankly, it's not safe for everyone to come out. I am fortunate in that I have the ability to speak out. My friends and family know that I'm gay—that's what happens when you come out on "Dateline."

This is something that us "straight people" don't need to think about, and we're often quite happy to not think about it. This is called privilege. We should look at it, question it, overcome it, and work against it in our communities. We'll never live in a decent world if we can't look out for each other, work past our preconceived notions, and use what privilege we have to fight inequity.

CoH is in effect.

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1 vote

#1 - Sun Oct 12, 2008 1:31 AM EDT

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	'Laramie Project' Team Returns 10 Years Later	Newsweek	Sun Oct 12	1
	Wyo. town reflects 10 years after Shepard's murder	Associated Press	Fri Oct 10	34

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Laramie Resident Reflects On Shepard Anniversary

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