Matthew Shepard's mom Judy says "Vote!"

Last week marked the eighth anniversary of Matthew Shepard's death in an anti-gay hate crime in Wyoming - a senseless tragedy still so heartbreaking. But his amazing mother, Judy Shepard, keeps her son's name and spirit alive through her work with the Matthew Shepard Foundation to "replace hate with understanding, compassion and acceptance." I met Judy Shepard Saturday night at a garden party kicking off a get out and vote campaign for the general election on Nov. 7. Judy told the crowd that Matthew, who was murdered at the age of 21, had been quite politically active in his short life. At the age of 7, he worked on his first political campaign, stuffing envelopes for a candidate. "He was always interested and informed," his mother says. At 12, Matthew ordered sweatshirts from the Clinton-Gore campaign.

Judy says that one of the first things her son did whenever he moved was register to vote. His voter registration card was found in his wallet after his death.
"He loved it and even at 7, he knew if you didn't vote, you were giving up a great privledge and responsibility. He can no longer vote, no longer has a voice to make a difference and we should pick up that (responsibility)."
In a conversation later, Judy told me "we have an opportunity to wake people up - if we could just get everyone to vote."

She added that she is "constantly amazed when (Matthew's) name shows up in the paper. It's a touchstone for people but it's also a double-edged sword for me. (Hate crimes) keep happening."

Judy says she was quite moved by the show of support from the crowd that included actors Chad Allen, Darryl Stephens ("Noah's Arc") and Tony Tripoli ("Fashion House") and, of course, my friend Trevor Daley (not the pro hockey player but one of Sen. Dianne Feinstein's main point persons in L.A.). Trevor is a real character and had invited me and my journalist friends Michael and Ted to the early evening Matthew Shepard event prior to a dinner we had all planned at the Barefoot Cafe. Dinner was really terrific but meeting Judy Shepard was something I will never forget.
"I used to think L.A. was not very caring," she told me. "But this has changed my mind."
The photo of Matthew on the badges and other promotional materials for the get out and vote effort is Judy's very favorite picture of her son. You can pledge to vote on Matthew Shepard's behalf at www.MatthewShepard.org/Vote