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'''Matthew Shepard''' (1976-1998) was an American college student from [[Wyoming]].  On October 7th, 1998, he was savagely beaten and robbed by two men, and died on October 12th.  The killers were heavily involved in drugs and had met Shepard in a bar, giving him a ride afterwards.  A misguided defense of one of the killers tried to make an issue of Shepard's [[homosexuality]].

'''Matthew Shepard''' (1976-1998) was an American college student from [[Wyoming]].  On October 7th, 1998, he was savagely beaten and robbed by two men, and died on October 12th.  The killers were heavily involved in drugs and had met Shepard in a bar, giving him a ride afterwards.   

Shepard's death was cited by homosexual activists to propose legislation to classify attacks against homosexuals as a [[hate crime]] that would be punished more severely than in the absence of homosexuality as a motivational factor.  All legislation, both in Wyoming and on the national level, has failed.<ref>http://www.reason.com/news/show/31008.html</ref>  A recent effort to pass a bill has had President Bush vowing to veto.

 

 

Ever since Shepard's death it has been cited by homosexual activists to promote legislation to classify attacks against homosexuals as a [[hate crime]] that would be punished more severely than a crime against a heterosexual.  All legislation, both in Wyoming and on the national level, has failed, but under [[Democratic]] leadership the [[U.S. House of Representatives]] passed a hate crimes bill in 2007.<ref>http://www.reason.com/news/show/31008.html</ref>  President [[George W. Bush]] has vowed to veto it.

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