Matthew Shepard Foundation Research Paper

Robert E "Bert" Shepard was born in Dana, Indiana on June 28, 1920. In 1941, the lefthander was pitching with the Bisbee Bees in the Arizona-Texas League where he had a 3-5 won-loss record but was also a useful utility player appearing at first base and in the outfield.

This really opened my eyes to make me never want to run from my problems and end up from something to nothing. Either way making your money and accomplishing your goals is so much better, even though Chris McCandless didn’t mean to eat the berry that eventually caused his death it is his fault because he could've easily bought food, got a job, a house, he could of had a life but that was the path he chose. For these reasons I believe Adam Shepard was more admirable than Chris McCandless, he didn’t only do things for himself but for people such as myself who now believe it is possible to obtain the american dream and for that i respect

Although Matthew Shepard’s slaughter was a tragedy, his death has motivated gays and lesbians to start movements and organizations to raise awareness for gay rights and equality. There are songs, books, and movies written about Shepard.

We get a glimpse of the hatred and unacceptance this community has towards gays. The Laramie Project is used to boost the emotional impact of the events. People tend to live in an “all about me world” where in a case they become the victim and start to ask why but when it’s somebody else they be the one who’s being the victimizer. The violence committed against Matthew Shepard is reflected by many as a hate crime because of someone’s own belief being transpired to someone else’s life. The evidence and witnesses from the case all suggest that Mathew was condemned because of his

The film The Laramie Project discusses the truth behind the horrific death of one of the worst documented anti-gay hate crimes in American history. Prior to his death, Matthew Shepard, was attending the University of Wyoming, he had a great interest in political affairs, and was known to be an outstanding member of the community. On the night of October 6, 1998, upon leaving a bar in Laramie, Wyoming, Matthew Shepard was robbed, tortured, continuously beaten and terrorized by Russel Henderson and Aaron McKinney. According to the transcripts from over 200 people in the town of Laramie reported that many individuals in this particular town were raised not to agree with homosexuality, although many of them also reported that even though they

Matthew Shepard was just one of many people who had been targeted by Fred Phelps and his church. Phelps and the Westboro Baptist Church became known internationally for preaching and protesting against homosexuals. He had been known to align himself with dictators and terrorist groups. Church members traveled to various cities around the country to protest the funerals of gay people, military personnel who had died in battle serving their country, and many others. According to members of the church, soldiers were dying because God hated America for its tolerance of homosexuality. Phelps and his congregants believed that anyone who didn’t align themselves with Westboro Baptist Church would burn in hell. Unfortunately, since Westboro Baptist

However, I am privy to the fact that the U.S ranks amongst the highest in the number of female rapes. It seems that the US is at war with itself. Here in the U.S individuals rape others for their own personal gain rather than a war tactic. Rape in the U.S is created by our rape culture instead of being a weapon of war. Rape culture is all around us. There is a sort of "tolerance" for rape that has been normalized in society. This is not acceptable. Our rape culture takes form in many ways. One being victims seem to always get the finger pointed at them when they gather the courage to report it. Personally speaking, I was taught if I do not want to be raped then I should not wear certain outfits, drink alone, leave my drink unattended, I also should not walk alone at night, and the list goes on. And if I were to be raped, I should be prepared to be bombarded with questions that paint me as partially responsible for getting raped, which in turn, takes some of the blame off of the assailant. This is not right, however, it is justified due to our rape

After the incident occurred, Matthew helped the gay community in Laramie, the society become more mindful of who they really wanted to be and should fight for their rights. Although, Matthew did a huge impact for the Laramie community, he could have still been alive today helping the gay community around the world be free and end discrimination. What was hurtful to see when watching the project was that, after the incident occurred there were people who did not care what happened to Matthew and continue to protect disrespectful saying. Moreover, society nowadays are not recognizing that the gay community tends to have the highest suicided rate, due to not being accepted into their community and suffering from many stereotypes and discrimination. Because of Matthew, he was able to open Laramie eyes and cause the society to help him finish what he wanted to

Matt Shepard’s death sparked a media frenzy that focused on one central idea: Matt Shepard, a gay young man was brutally murdered because of his sexual orientation. Shepard’s death caused a massive outbreak of protesting as prominent people in the LGBTQ community spoke out in opposition against discrimination (Loffreda 247). However, one of the more interesting responses during this time of anger, grief, and protesting was that of the faculty of the University of Wyoming (Loffreda 248-249).

In the first place, the topic of rape and the attacks some suspects achieve become an uncomfortable yet hurtful subject for not only the victims but the human beings that it could very well happen to. Women in general are very vulnerable human beings, and when something insane happens in their life it may take a long period of time to speak up about the incident and when they are not given the attention they deserve when they finally speak up about the traumatizing story it

False rape accusations can be incredibly destructive to the lives of those who are accused. As such, it is important that each case is investigated to the fullest extent possible and that the situations remain disclosed to the public until a verdict is reached. The idea of "innocent until proven guilty" must always be protected in our society; Allowing any case to ignore this philosophy is detrimental to freedom and due process all over the country. However, it is also very important to make sure that women and men can feel safe to report if they have been raped. People should not be shamed for reporting a rape, but they often are. Unfortunately, even the most cherished of people can turn out to be sexual predators. For example,

Studies have shown that 20% of women have been raped in their lifetime. Rape is actually pretty common in America. Some people actually joke around about rape culture. Women in America are oppressed in many, many ways. One major example of this form of oppression is rape. Rape has been a major problem in America for a while now and it needs to be fixed. Studies have shown that one in five women get raped. They rate is actually pretty extreme. An argument commonly used is that men are raped too. This can show that women aren't the only ones raped, but also men. One thing a lot will say is that women are oppressed in a lot more ways than just rape, but just harassment in general. There are multiple ways to help with rape

A form of sexual abuse that is not talked or reported as much is, sexual assault of men and boys. “2.78 million men in the U.S. have been victims of sexual assault or rape” (Rainn). Men survivors are less likely to report an assault or rape to the police. The way society visions males, it makes it harder for men to report because they are embarrassed or scared that it happen to them. All victims, regardless the gender, undoubtedly suffer as the result of sexual assault. It is simply not true that women suffer more than men, or rather that men suffer more than women. When young boys are raised, they are taught to be “brave”, “strong” and “tough.” Therefore, it is extremely understandable that a man or boy experiences emotions, such as, loneliness, vulnerability, inadequate, ashamed, etc. “Male victims are extremely hesitant to report such crimes due to the risk of mockery, disbelief, and disdain both from the community and law enforcement who may perceive them as ‘un-masculine’” (Fuchs 98). Being victimized does not mean you lose all your masculinity or physical strength. Certainly, sexual assault or rape is not only an exhibition of physical strength, it is also considered an abusive form of psychological control. This happens so frequently that victims often blame themselves for their attacks. In

And men are also victims of rape. Men are also told to be silent about rape just like women. But it is the same sexism that affects women that also affects men. So shutting it down for women affects men too, it is a real issue that affects us all. Still, women are told to ‘cover themselves’ and ‘not draw attention.' When they get raped they are told that they were ‘asking for it,' they’re told ‘not to report it.' Why? Why are you telling someone who's gotten seriously hurt to hide their pain? How dare you tell someone who's had their body and innocence violated to ‘not report it’? How do you have the audacity to tell a woman, most often a teenager, to suffer in silence? That is why 54% of rapes go unreported, that is why 32,000 babies born in the USA are a result of sexual assault, that is why 97% of rapists are never incarcerated. Women are always being told that they are the issue, that they were asking for it, that they should overlook it. You may have heard the phrase: “men will be men.” That phrase is wrong because men are humans like us, and if women can control themselves men can too. Men must be held accountable for their actions. Nobody should say that a 14 or 15-year-old girl was ‘asking for it.' They are teenagers who should not have their bodies sexualized, who should not be shamed for who they are or how they dress. It is not acceptable for a man to be viewing a woman's body as an

Many victims refuse to report or seek help after a rape because they are scared of what their family, friends, or society will think of them. Often