In her moving new memoir, The Meaning of Matthew: My Son's Murder in Laramie, and a World Transformed, Judy Shepard writes about her family and her relationship with Matt. She takes us through his life -- his early years; growing up in both Laramie and abroad; his vicious gang rape in Marrakech; his college years; his coming out to her -- until that devastating call telling her that he was in the hospital, beaten nearly to death because he was gay. Driven by her son's tragic and unnecessary death and the reactions -- both good and bad -- from all over the world, the book explains her resolve to make a difference in Matt's name.
The program (see below) included influential people in Santa Cruz County, who spoke about the ways we bring about change through the arts, activism and community.
MEANING OF MATTHEW The Power of an Individual to Effect Change OCTOBER 23, 2009 Vet's Hall, Santa Cruz 6 PM
dedicated to the memory of Mardi Wormhoudt, an inspiring individual who effected change
Welcome and Intro: John Laird former State Assemblymember : Mayoral Proclamation: Cynthia Mathews Mayor of Santa Cruz : County Proclamation: Neal Coonerty Santa Cruz County Supervisor, 3rd District : Speaker: Susan Myer Silton Artistic Director, Pisces Moon Productions : Speaker: Geneffa Jonker Basic Skills English Instructor at Cabrillo College and Co-Coordinator of Cabrillo's Social Justice Conference : Speaker: Charlie McNeill 2009 Queer Youth Leadership Award recipient : State Proclamation: Merrie Schaller Co-chair of Equality Action Project of Santa Cruz County : Performer: Lex Spoken Word Artist : Closing words: Andy Botsford Producer, Pisces Moon Productions
Program produced by Andy Botsford
Following the "Meaning of Matthew" Benefit, Judy answered questions and signed copies of her new book at Bookshop Santa Cruz. The program included a performance of an excerpt from The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later by Pisces Moon, as well as a spoken word performance by Lex.
