Judy Shepard

Judy Shepard is the leading spokesperson on hate crimes against GLBT citizens. Judy Shepard is the mother of Matthew Shepard. Matthew died on October 12, 1998, after being brutally attacked because he was gay. The incident and Judy Shepard's leadership focused the nation's attention on hate crimes.

Together with her husband Dennis, Judy Shepard started the Matthew Shepard Foundation to support GLBT equality and help to prevent hate crimes. She has written to school administrators urging safe schools for GLBT students and for all individuals regardless of their race, gender, religion and sexuality identity.

On May 11, 1999, Shepard testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee in support of the Hate Crimes Prevention Act. Judy Shepard is an active member of PFLAG.