Judy Shepard, opponent of violence against homosexuals and mother of the late Matthew Shepard, will offer a free public lecture at 7:30 p.m. Monday, February 26 in John Gano Memorial Chapel on the William Jewell College campus in Liberty, Mo. Doors will open for general admission seating at 7:15 p.m. The public is invited to attend; reservations or tickets are not required.

In 1998, Judy Shepard lost her son, Matthew, to a murder motivated by anti-gay hate. Determined to prevent Matthew’s fate from befalling others, she turned her tragedy into a crusade for justice by establishing The Matthew Shepard Foundation to help carry on her son’s legacy. Shepard has testified before the United States Senate in support of the Hate Crimes Prevention Act.
Shepard has appeared in two Human Rights Campaign advertisements urging an end to anti-gay violence and promoting a greater understanding of gay issues. Additionally, she is actively involved with Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG). In this capacity, she has written an open letter to schools across the country urging officials to make schools safer for gay students by promoting inclusion.

Speaking from a mother’s perspective, Shepard has made the prevention of hate crimes the focus of her efforts, and urges her audiences to make their schools and communities safer for everyone, regardless of their race, sex, religion, gender expression or gender identity.
Free parking is available in the commuter lot just inside the main campus entrance at R.E. Bowles Drive and Mill Street, or in the Mabee Center for Physical Education lot just off of H Highway on the east side of the campus. (Visit ../../gen/william_and_jewell_generated_ns_pages/Campus_Map_m11.html for a downloadable map of the Jewell campus.) Parking is limited on campus; an early arrival is suggested.

For more information about Judy Shepard, go to
http://kepplerspeakers.com/speakers/speakers.asp?1+EV+455