Most people reading this will know of Matthew Shepard. Matthew was the latest nationally known victim of gay-bashing. He died last week after being viciously beaten by two sorry, sub-human excuses of humanity. Matthew Shepard was born in 1976, the same year as my eldest nephew. He was far, far too young to die.
Likely as not, the two perpetrators will be put away for a spell. Though perhaps not as long as they would be if Matthew had not been gay. For some reason, perpetrators of gay-bashing seem to get off more leniently than other murderers.
But the truly sick thing here is that their accomplices will get off without so much as a slapped wrist. The accomplices being all those who incited the killers to beat the hell out of Matthew in the first place.
And yes, "beat the hell out of" is exactly the term I want to use. Because the accomplices I'm referring to are all the religious psychos out there who instill hatred into their followers. True, not all of them actually call for homosexuals to be put to death, though some do.
Rus Walton, leader of the Plymouth Rock Foundation, has said exactly that.
Mr. Walton is responsible for Matthew Shepard's death.
Don Ellis, of The American Guardian, also speaks of the extreme evil of homosexuality and has called for their deaths.
Mr. Ellis is responsible for Matthew Shepard's death.
Reverend Fred Phelps of the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas, well known for his "God Hates Fags" campaign, picketed Matthew's funeral with placards stating such.
Reverend Phelps is responsible for Matthew Shepard's death.
Reverend Lou Sheldon, head of the Traditional Values Coalition, calls homosexuality "the most pernicious evil today." Evil, of course, is a bad thing and should be eradicated.
Reverend Sheldon is responsible for Matthew Shepard's death.
The Christian Coalition spews anti-gay rhetoric at any given opportunity, it seems. There are far too many instances to list.
Pat Robertson and Ralph Reed are responsible for Matthew Shepard's death.
Not only these religious leaders, but many others, in addition to their followers… any who subscribe to these insane beliefs, promulgate them, perhaps act on them… Any of those who take seriously the vile words of these religious fanatics…
They are responsible for Matthew Shepard's death.
But I've forgotten many others, haven't I? Yes. That large group of people who do not subscribe to or promulgate the beliefs that lead to anti-gay activities, yet do not take an active role in quashing the rhetoric… Those people who hear of gay-bashing and tsk-tsk it away… Those people who read of a young man's funeral and shake their heads at the tragedy of it all, but do nothing more…
We are responsible for Matthew Shepard's death.
