The kidnapping and brutal murder of Matthew Shepard in October 1998 served as a wakeup call for many Americans about the hate crimes being perpetuated against the gay community. Even at Shepard's funeral service, there was no respite from the homophobic climate, as protestors arrived brandishing anti-gay signs. Fearing that their son's grave would become a target of vandalism, Shepard's parents did not bury his ashes for 20 years.
Now, as Michelle Boorstein reports for the Washington Post, Dennis and Judy Shepard have finally secured a safe resting place for their son. On October 26, Matthew Shepard's remains will be buried in a secluded niche of the Washington National Cathedral, known as the “spiritual home of the nation.”
