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. All legislation, both in Wyoming and on the national level, has failed.<ref>Answers.com http://www.answers.com/topic/matthew-shepard</ref> | 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. All legislation, both in Wyoming and on the national level, has failed.<ref>Answers.com http://www.answers.com/topic/matthew-shepard</ref> |