Matthew Shepard’s mother gets ‘unexpected honour’ of Presidential Medal of Freedom

Judy Shepard and Dennis Shepard, the parents of Matthew Shepard (Image: Markus Bidaux)

The mother of Matthew Shepard has expressed her gratitude at the “unexpected honor” of being recognised for her campaigning in the years since her son’s death.

Matthew Shepard’s murder in 1998 sent shock waves around the world. He was found dead and tied to a fence in Laramie, Wyoming after being beaten and tortured.

On Friday 3 May, Judy Shepard, Matthew’s mother, was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The honour is the highest civilian award in the United States. In an opening address at the event at the White House, President Biden mentioned Judy’s work. “The brutal murder of your son galvanized the movement into a law in his name [to] protect LGBTQ

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