Matt Shepard Story and Violence Towards the Gay/Lesbian Community

MATTHEW'S STORY

The story of Matthew Shepard began on December 1, 1976 when he was born to Judy and Dennis Shepard in Casper, Wyoming. He went to public school in Casper until his junior year of high school when he moved with his family to Saudi Arabia. Matt had to finish his high school education at The American School in Switzerland because there were no American high schools in Saudi Arabia at the time. In both high schools, he was elected by his peers to be a peer counselor. He was easy to talk to, made friends easily and actively fought for the acceptance of all people. Matt had a great passion for equality. His experiences abroad fueled his love for travel and gave him the chance to make many new friends from around the world. Matt’s college career eventually took him back to Wyoming where he studied political science, foreign relations and languages at the University of Wyoming in Laramie.

The horrific events that took place shortly after midnight on October 7, 1998 went against everything that Matt embodied. Two men, Aaron McKinney and Russell Henderson, lead him to a remote area east of Laramie, Wyoming. He was tied to a split-rail fence where the two men severely assaulted him. He was beaten and left to die in the cold of the night. Almost 18 hours later, he was found by a bicyclist who initially mistook him for a scarecrow. Matt died on October 12 at 12:53 a.m. at Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins, Colorado with his family by his side. His memorial service was attended by friends and family from around the world and garnered immense media attention that brought Matt’s story to the forefront of the fight against bigotry and hate. The life and death of Matthew Shepard changed the way we talk about, and deal with, hate in America. Since his death, Matt’s legacy has challenged and inspired millions of individuals to erase hate in all its forms. Although Matt’s life was short, his story continues to have a great impact on young and old alike. His legacy lives on in thousands of people like you who actively fight to replace hate with understanding, compassion and acceptance.
(http://www.matthewshepard.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Our_Story_Main_Page)

The story above is a tragic one that unfortunately happens more than we might think it does. Below is a brief paragraph about Judy Shepard, Matt's mother and her advocacy and activism for gay/lesbian rights...

In 1998, Judy Shepard lost her son, Matthew, to a murder motivated by anti-gay hate. Turning tragedy into a crusade for justice, and determined to prevent Matthew’s fate from befalling others, she established The Matthew Shepard Foundation to help carry on his legacy.

Activist speaker Judy Shepard has appeared in two Human Rights Campaign advertisements urging an end to anti-gay violence and promoting a greater understanding of gay issues. She is also actively involved with Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG). In this capacity, she has written an open letter to schools across the country urging officials to make schools safer for gay students by promoting tolerance and diversity.

Most recently, Judy Shepard authored the New York Times best-selling book, The Meaning of Matthew: My Son's Murder in Laramie, and a World Transformed, a moving, intimate look at how her life, and the entire fight for equal rights, changed when her son was killed.
(http://www.kepplerspeakers.com/speakers.aspx?name=Judy+Shepard)

We wanted to leave all of you with this final story in hopes that it will encourage each of you to act out against the oppression, discrimination, and hatred that the GLBT community suffers.... if you could leave us with your thoughts on that, we would be grateful...

Thanks for following our blog!
-Jarica, Jess, Laine, & Morgan (Group 5)

What Family and Adoption Means for Gays and Lesbians

Family is defined as "a fundamental social group in society typically consisting of one or two parents and their children...two or more people who share goals and value, have long-term commitments to one another, and reside usually in the same dwelling place...all members of a household under one roof" (The American heritage Dictionary of the English Language). The world has seen homosexually headed families since the beginning. Within social species of animals, primarily marine birds and mammals, monkeys and the great apes homosexual behavior and families have been observed. An example of this is male penguin couples have been documented to mate for life, build nests together, and to use a stone as a surrogate egg in nesting and brooding. The Central Park Zoo replaced a penguin make couple's stone with a fertile egg. The penguin male couple raised the baby as their own. This is nothing new!

Gay and Lesbian headed families continue to be an issue for people. It wasn't until the 19th century that gay and lesbian relationships were seen as indicative of a type of person with a defined and relatively stable sexual orientation.

There are three basic concerns that many people have about gay and lesbian headed families. 1. Gay or Lesbian parents may consciously or unconsciously provide inappropriate models for sexual development - they might convince their children of the desirability of homosexuality or disturb them by overt expression of affection for each other. 2. Particularly for gay men, they might have sexual relations with their children. 3. The children might be stigmatized by others, particularly their peers who are intolerant of their parents' sexuality.

During the first wave of studies in the 1970s on children and young adults from heterosexual relationships who were moved with the mother who participated in lesbian relationships, regardless of the geographical or demographics characteristics of the families the results were consistent " Children from lesbian mother families did not show a higher rate of psychological disorder or difficulties in peer relationships than their counterparts from heterosexual homes. With respect to gender development, there was no evidence of confusion about gender identity among these children, and no difference in sex role behavior between children in lesbian and heterosexual families for either boys or girls" (Golomok, 2002, p. 1407-1408).

Taylor is a woman who was raised by her biological mother who was in a committed lesbian relationship. Her comments in regards to her family lifestyle are "I don't even think there is a normal. I think every family is unique. And thanks to mine, I'm extremely tolerant of other human beings, especially when it comes to things they can't change. Mom raised me to be an accepting and kind person. And in my opinion, that's what being a good parent is all about." (Heald & Taylor, 2005, p. 154-158).

Issues arise in the creation of a gay or lesbian family. There are options such as artificial insemination, adoption, and surrogacy. The laws for the state of Maine are as follows: Under Citation: Ann. Stat. Tit. 18-A, 9-301 The following persons may adopt: A husband and wife jointly, An unmarried person, A resident or non resident. Which does not exclusively rule out the possibility for a same-sex couple to adopt but it does not make clear whether a same-sex couple can adopt together.

I feel that everyone has a right to have a loving and supportive family regardless of its creation. Everyone should enjoy equal rights regardless of their sexual preference. There are millions of children living in foster homes, stuck within a seemingly endless system that are desperately searching for loving and caring homes. Is it better to leave them displaced than to place them into warm, welcoming homes? Children should have the opportunity to receive love and give love to those who desperately want to give love to them. Over time I see gay and lesbian couples finding it easier to create families of their own. Times are changing, laws are changing, the once blinded viewers of society are now seeing the reality of life. The reality that this world is extremely diverse yet life should be treated equally for all.

More on Gay's in the Military

I wanted to expand on the topic of Gay's in the Military, not because its the most important topic in reguards to this population group but because it is the largest branch of our government. It is where the lions share of money is funneled to. Your money, the tax payers hard earned money, and we as the population of the united states doesn't even get a choice to where our money goes. As a registered and active voter it frustrates me that our government allows discrimination with in its defense structure. Our military is suposed to protect the people who can not protect themselves, yet it fails to protect its own members or actually forces them to live and serve in secret.

In 1993 President Bill Clinton attempted to remove the ban placed on Gays serving in the military. He failed! Our governing agencies didn't support this action, and faught to keep it on the books for fear it would destroy the military. What was accomplished was the policy of "don't ask and don't tell" Which really is just another way of saying "stay in the closet" "live a lie" and "don't be who you really are".
For a country who is off fighting battels to bring equality to all fails to bring equality to its defenders! The United States is the only member of NATO to have such a ban on members of its military.
The following are some examples used to describe pros and cons of Gays/Lesbians in the military:

Pros:
No one doubts the actual abilities of this population to get things done in an effecient and effective manner. Hard work is not an issue for this population.

The argument against this population in the Military is based on problems caused by homophobia amoung hetrosexuals and it would allow hetrosexuals to see how effctive they can be in any situations.

Having Gay/Lesbian sodiers will actuall decrease preduice when given opportunity to dispel myths.

Many other professions require a bond of trust and intense living conditions amound there employees where Gays and Lesbians are not banned from, such as emergency services, medical agencies, fire, police, and oil rig workers.

Cons:
Soldiers live in close quarters and effectiveness depends on a mutual trust and complicated comraderies, and sexual relations undermine this bond.

There is a worry that not all applicants are driven by an vocational calling, with such an large population of young healthy individuals the gays would be driven to enlist because of the pool of possible partners.

Life and death situations carry special circumstances and any mental disception could be fatal.

Blackmail may also be a problem and be a cause to worry about national security.

The pro and cons listed above were actual accounts of ideas put forth about Gays and Lesbians in the military. I ask you to google don't ask don't tell and take a look at some of the ideas that people have on this issue it will really make you think about how many people are uninformed and mis-educated on such topics.

The AIDS Myth

I'm sure we have all heard at one time or another the myth that HIV/AIDS is a disease of homosexual men. The history of HIV/AIDS is:
Before 1970s
- HIV (the virus that causes AIDS) probably transfers to humans in Africa between 1884 and 1924.
- HIV probably enters Haiti around 1966.
1970s
- HIV probably enters the United States around 1970.
- African doctors see a rise in opportunistic infections and wasting.
- Western scientists and doctors remain ignorant of the growing epidemic.
1981
- AIDS is detected in California and New York.
- The first cases are among gay men, then injecting drug users.
1982
- AIDS is reported among haemophiliacs and Haitians in the USA.
- AIDS is reported in several European countries.
- The name “AIDS” – Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome – is created.
- Community organisations in the UK and USA promote safer sex among gay men.
1983
- AIDS is reported among non-drug using women and children.
- Experts become more confident that the cause of AIDS is infectious.
- Three thousand AIDS cases have been reported in the USA; one thousand have died.
1984
- Scientists identify HIV (initially called HTLV-III or LAV) as the cause of AIDS.
- Western scientists become aware that AIDS is widespread in parts of Africa.
- The world's first needle exchange program is set up in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
1985
- An HIV test is licensed for screening blood supplies.
- AIDS is found in China, and has therefore been seen in all regions of the world.
1986
- More than 38,000 cases of AIDS have been reported from 85 countries.
-Uganda begins promoting sexual behaviour change in response to AIDS.
1987
- AZT is the first drug approved for treating AIDS.
- The UK and other countries act to raise awareness of AIDS.
1988
- The American government conducts a national AIDS education campaign.
- Health ministers meet to discuss AIDS and establish a World AIDS Day.
1990
- Around 8 million people are living with HIV worldwide, according to estimates made later.
1991
- Thailand launches Asia’s most extensive HIV prevention programme.
1993
- AZT is shown to be of no benefit to those in the early stages of HIV infection.
1994
-AZT is shown to reduce the risk of mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
-Infant HIV infections begin to fall in developed countries, due to use of AZT.
1995
- The Joint United Nations Programme on AIDS (UNAIDS) is established.
1996
- Combination antiretroviral treatment is shown to be highly effective against HIV.
- In developed countries, many people begin taking the new treatment.
- Annual global spending on AIDS in low- and middle-income countries is $300 million.
1997
- AIDS deaths begin to decline in developed countries, due to the new drugs.
- Brazil is the first developing country to begin providing free combination treatment.
- In other developing countries, only a tiny minority can access treatment for HIV.
- Around 22 million people are living with HIV worldwide, according to estimates made later.
2000
- President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa voices support for AIDS dissidents.
2001
- At a UN Special Session, world leaders set long-term targets on HIV/AIDS.
2002
- The Global Fund is established to boost the response to AIDS, TB and malaria.
- Botswana begins Africa’s first national AIDS treatment programme.
2003
- AIDS drugs become more affordable for developing countries.
- The “3 by 5” campaign is launched to widen access to AIDS treatment.
- The first AIDS vaccine candidate to undergo a major trial is found to be ineffective.
2004
- America launches a major initiative called PEPFAR to combat AIDS worldwide.
- After much hesitancy, South Africa begins to provide free antiretroviral treatment.
2006
- Circumcision is shown to reduce HIV infection among heterosexual men.
- 28% of people in developing countries who need treatment for HIV are receiving it.
- Annual global spending on AIDS in low- and middle-income countries is $8.9 billion.
- It is estimated that $14.9 billion would be needed for a truly effective response.
2007
- Around 33 million people are living with HIV, according to revised estimates.
- Another major HIV vaccine trial is halted after preliminary results show no benefit.
2008
- A controversial Swiss study claims people adhering to ARVs have a "negligibly small" risk of transmitting HIV through unprotected sex.
- PEPFAR is reauthorised, committing $48 billion for the next five years.
- Michel Sidibé is named as new head of UNAIDS as Peter Piot steps down.
2009
- President Obama announces the removal of the travel ban that prevents HIV-positive people from entering the US.
- 4 million people in developing and transitional countries are receiving treatment for HIV; 9.5 million are still in immediate need of treatment.

After reading the history of the discovery of HIV/AIDS, I would like to contend that HIV/AIDS is not a disease that ONLY gay men can contract.

Some Facts:
Around 48% of all people diagnosed with AIDS in America were probably infected with HIV through male-to-male sexual contact, while people exposed through heterosexual contact comprise around 17% total AIDS cases. Since the beginning of the epidemic, the number of heterosexual infections has increased dramatically. According to CDC estimates, heterosexual contact led to about one third of new AIDS diagnoses and one third of new HIV diagnoses in 2006.
Around one fifth of all adults and adolescents diagnosed with AIDS have been female, although among new AIDS diagnoses in 2007, this proportion was 27%. Of the 34 states with a history of confidential name-based reporting, 31% of HIV diagnoses in 2007 were attributed to women. Of these states, the HIV diagnosis rate in 2007 was higher for males (38.8 per 100,000 population) than females (12.9). This is reflected in 2007 AIDS diagnoses with the diagnosis rate for males (21.6 per 100,000 population) again being higher than that of females (7.5).
Of the estimated 9,209 children under 13 years of age who have been diagnosed with AIDS within the 50 states and the District of Columbia, 8,434 (92%) were probably infected with HIV through mother-to-child transmission. Most others were infected through receipt of blood, blood products or tissue. In 2007, 159 children were diagnosed with HIV, and 28 were diagnosed with AIDS. (avert.org)

More Info:

Despite the fact that many associate HIV/AIDS with IV-drug users, prostitutes and homosexual men, Hofmann maintained that 48 percent of those infected worldwide are, in fact, women. What's more, the number of those infected in the United States is on the rise, yet most people tend to associate the disease with other countries, particularly those in Africa. "We don't think that it's here, [but] in some pockets [of the country] it's worse," Hofmann noted. Providing some statistics, she explained that the rate of infection in Washington, D.C., for example, is one in 20, which is worse than in some sub-Saharan areas in Africa."As long as people don't see [HIV/AIDS in the public domain], stigma will exist," Hofmann asserted. "Around the world, it is not stigmatized as much as it is here [in America]." (media.www.concordy.com)

So is HIV/AIDS a disease of gay men? If so how? And if not, why do some continue to feel this is true