The following information was provided by Judy Shepard, Matthew's mother.

Every life needs meaning. Every death needs meaning.

The life and death of Matthew Shepard will continue to have meaning through the establishment of the Matthew Shepard Foundation. The Shepard family has created this Foundation to help people abandon ignorance, prejudice and hate. The Foundation will be dedicated to the principle of helping people move beyond tolerance to embrace and rejoice in diversity.

The energy and resources of the Matthew Shepard Foundation, in conjunction with the Matthew Shepard memorial fund, will be devoted to public awareness and education programs to ensure that what Matt lived for and believed in will help others believe as well.

This work will take the efforts of many. We hope that many will share their efforts and their resources so that many may share Matt's vision -- life is precious, we can work together to help each life have meaning and dignity.

Judy Shepard

About the Matthew Shepard Foundation
Donations may be sent to:
First National Bank of Wyoming
2020 Grand Ave.
Laramie, Wyoming (WY) 82070

For those wanting information about the Foundation forward your questions to:
Beech Street Law Office
123 S. Durbin
Casper, WY 82601

or

Judy Shepard
PO Box 4085
Casper, WY 82604

Brandon Teena was a transgendered 20 year-old living in rural Nebraska who was beaten and raped by two former friends --John Lotter and Thomas Nissen-- when they discovered that he was a biological woman living as a man. Brandon reported the incident to Sheriff Charles Laux who not only refused act on the charge but questioned his gender identity. - Planet Out

During the spring of 1995 both men were tried separately and found guilty of first degree murder. Nissen plea bargained in exchange for testifying against Lotter in order to avoid the death penalty. In August Nissen was sentenced to three consecutive life sentences. In February of 1996 Lotter was sentenced to the death penalty. In May of 1997, Nissen's appeals were turned down by the Supreme Court. Lotter's appeals are waiting for final review by the Supreme Court.

Teena Brandon Memorial Fund c/o West Gate Bank 1204 West O Street Lincoln, NE 68528



If you failed to teach your children to embrace diversity, then you have failed as a parent.