Spectrum was a University of Wyoming LGBTQ student organization. The collection includes a file of Matthew Shepard materials such as correspondence Spectrum received from other student organizations across the country, newspaper clippings and memorial programs.
Matthew Shepard memorial poster
Poster created in memory of Matthew Wayne Shepard.
Letter from Wyoming U.S. Representative Barbara Cubin to Meesha Fenimore, January 25, 1999
Cubin explains her House resolution that condemned the brutal killing of Matthew Shepard and voices her thoughts on enacting hate crime legislation.
Letter from organizations in Flagstaff to various individuals and organizations including University of Wyoming LGBT Association, October 14, 1998
Residents of Flagstaff, Arizona affiliated with various LGBTQ organizations express their support and anger over Matthew Shepard's death.
Letter from students at Scripps College to students at the University of Wyoming
Students from Scripps College in California express their condolences and their outrage over Matthew Shepard's death. The letter is indicative of the concern which spread far beyond the borders of Wyoming.
Letter from the Vanderbilt Divinity School to the University of Wyoming LGBTA
Students from the Vanderbilt Divinity School express their sympathies and sadness over Matthew Shepard's death. Their letter provides a counterpoint to some of the hateful vitriol expressed by some radical conservative Christians.
Press Release issued by U.S. Senator from Wyoming Mike Enzi
Enzi expresses his condolences to Matthew Shepard's family and friends. He emphasizes the need to work together to address the hate and stereotyping that gave rise to the crime that killed Shepard.
Letter to the Editor from Laramie resident R. Renee Haefner
Haefner expresses her shock and horror regarding Matthew Shepard's beating and death. She implores readers to talk to their children about intolerance, discrimination and hate crimes and supports the teaching of tolerance in public schools.
Press Release issued by Laramie Mayor Trudy McCraken
McCraken expresses her condolences to Matthew Shepard's family and discusses the candlelight vigils and community gatherings held to remember Shepard. She raises the possibility of hate crime legislation and discusses the need to learn and heal from Shepard's death.
Front page of The Branding Iron newspaper, October 12, 1999
On the first anniversary of Matthew Shepard's death, University of Wyoming's The Branding Iron newspaper ran two front page articles remembering Matthew Shepard and discussing the trial of one of Shepard's killers.
Newspaper clipping titled "Mom reviews coverage of Shepard slay case"
An Associated Press article which discusses Judy's Shepard's reaction to the saintlike persona that many in the media had given Matthew Shepard in the wake of his death.
Brief History of Angel Action
The idea for Angel Action came to Romaine Patterson, a friend of Matthew Shepard, after she encountered hateful anti-gay protesters while attending Shepard's memorial service in Casper, Wyoming.
Press release issued by Romaine Patterson, April 5, 1999
Romaine Patterson, a friend of Matthew Shepard, spoke publicly at the trial of one of Matthew Shepard's killers. She introduced Angel Action, in which supporters of the Matthew Shepard family wore enormous angel wings and stood silently in front of hateful anti-gay protesters from the Westboro Baptist Church.
Blog post from biggayjim.blogspot.com, September 23, 2008
This blog post recounts the personal experience of one of the "angels" who participated in the Angel Action in Laramie, Wyoming during the trial of one of Matthew Shepard's killers.
Matthew Shepard
Matthew Shepard's photo from the front side of an informational card distributed by the Matthew Shepard Foundation 10 years after his death.
Matthew's Story
The back side of an informational card distributed by the Matthew Shepard Foundation which tells the story of Matthew's life, death and legacy.
Program for the Dedication of the Matthew Shepard Memorial Bench, September 27, 2008
In September of 2008 Matthew Shepard's mother, Judy Shepard participated in the dedication of a bench installed at the University of Wyoming in Matthew's memory. The dedication on the bench reads: "Beloved son, brother, and friend. He continues to make a difference. Peace be with him and all who sit here."