presented in partnership with the matthew shepard foundation and broadcast by community television of santa cruz county
PROGRAM
Master of Ceremonies
DAVID GRISHAW-JONES First Congregational Church of Santa Cruz
musicians Frank Garcia, Greg Morrison, Nancy Cassel, John Stenovich, and Marshall Root JAZZ A
Santa Cruz Mayor RYAN COONERTY
Pisces Moon actors Robert Colter, Chad Davies, Marc A. Nicholson, Nat Robinson, Jasmine Schlafke, and Linda Turner THE LARAMIE PROJECT hate crime survivor RYAN McCUNE
keynote speaker ASSEMBLYMAN JOHN LAIRD
first same-sex couple married in Santa Cruz DINAH PHILLIPS and GAIL GROVES
spoken word artist LEX
founder of Inner Light Ministries, Soquel
REV. DEBORAH JOHNSON
In conjunction with our October 2008 production of The Laramie Project, Pisces Moon collaborated on this special event with the Matthew Shepard Foundation. It was held at the Louden Nelson Center in Santa Cruz on September 6 from 7 - 9 PM.
Performance artists, victims of hate crime, musicians and political and spiritual leaders joined together to provide for a dialog about the power that one individual has to change their world and adopt the values of respect and dignity for others.
The Matthew Shepard Foundation was founded by Dennis and Judy Shepard in memory of their 21-year old son, Matthew, who was murdered in a gay hate crime in Wyoming on October 12, 1998.
Created to honor Matthew in a manner that was appropriate to his dreams, beliefs and aspirations, the Foundation seeks to "Replace Hate with Understanding, Compassion & Acceptance" through its varied educational, outreach and advocacy programs and by continuing to tell Matthew's story.
Pisces Moon Productions told Matthew’s story in 2002 and again in 2003 with its acclaimed productions of The Laramie Project. The play chronicles, in the words of the citizens of Laramie, the effect of Matthew’s murder on the community and, ultimately, the world. Pisces Moon has revived the play to mark the 10-year anniversary of Matthew’s death and to bring attention to the rising number of violent crimes against Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual and Transgendered (LGBT) people. The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs reported on August 5 that anti-gay violence has increased significantly in 2008 in both number and severity.
“Raising Ourselves/Erasing Hate” gave voice to victims of hate crimes, provided support and empowered change. Thanks to a grant from the Diversity Partnership Fund at the Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County, the event was free of charge.
To facilitate further outreach, this event was recorded and broadcast on Community Television of Santa Cruz County.
In keeping Matthew Shepard’s dream of replacing the hate in the world with understanding, compassion, and acceptance, Pisces Moon coordinated other events around its production of The Laramie Project, which ran at Actors’ Theatre, 1001 Center Street from October 3 - 25.
The Sunday performances hosted students, including some from local high school Gay-Straight Alliances who participated in post-performance talkbacks led by representatives of Triangle Speakers, an organization that was created with the objective of providing information to eliminate fear, prejudice, and hatred against LGBT people so that a healthy environment -- particularly for young people -- exists for all members of our community in Santa Cruz County. For more information about this outreach program, please click here.
On October 12, the tenth anniversary of Matthew Shepard’s death, the performance of The Laramie Project was followed by a candlelight procession and vigil. Participants gathered at the City Hall Courtyard at 7:00 PM, gave testimony and then made a procession to the Town Clock.
The Laramie Project and the events surrounding it have been made possible by a grant from the Diversity Partnership Fund at the Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County. Pisces Moon Productions is supported in part by a grant from the Cultural Council of Santa Cruz County.
