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The Matthew Shepherd Hate Crime and Its Intercultural Implications Proceedings of the New York State Communication Association Volume 2011 Proceedings of the 69th New York State Article 6 Communication Association 10-18-2012 Misunderstood: The aM tthew hepheS rd Hate Crime and its Intercultural Implications Cameron Muir Roger Williams University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: http://docs.rwu.edu/nyscaproceedings Part of the Communication Commons Recommended Citation Muir, Cameron (2012) "Misunderstood: The aM tthew Shepherd Hate Crime and its Intercultural Implications," Proceedings of the New York State Communication Association: Vol. 2011, Article 6. Available at: http://docs.rwu.edu/nyscaproceedings/vol2011/iss1/6 This Undergraduate Student Paper is brought to you for free and open access by the Journals at DOCS@RWU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Proceedings of the New York State Communication Association by an authorized administrator of DOCS@RWU. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Muir: Misunderstood: The Matthew Shepherd Hate Crime Misunderstood: The Matthew Shepherd Hate Crime and its Intercultural Implications Cameron Muir Roger Williams University __________________________________________________________________ The increasing vocalization by both supporters and opponents of homosexual rights has launched the topic into the spotlight, reenergizing a vibrant discussion that personally affects millions of Americans and which will determine the direction in which U.S. national policy will develop. This essay serves as a continuation of this discussion, using the Matthew Shepherd hate crime, which occurred in October of 1998, as a focal point around which a detailed analysis of homophobia and masculinity in American culture will emerge. __________________________________________________________________ Synopsis The increasing vocalization by both supporters and opponents of homosexual rights has launched the topic into the spotlight, reenergizing a vibrant discussion that personally affects millions of Americans and which will determine the direction in which U.S. national policy will develop. This essay serves as a continuation of this discussion, using the Matthew Shephard hate crime, which occurred in October of 1998, as a focal point around which a detailed analysis of homophobia and masculinity in American culture will emerge. The opening pages will describe and elaborate on the chain of events which led to the attack on Matthew Shephard and his subsequent death, introduce the primary figures in the case and their roles, and provide an update on the current condition of those involved. By placing events within a historical context, the actions and motivations of Aaron McKinney and Russell Henderson, the men who were found responsible for Shephard’s death, may be better understood and this historic event’s impact on and relevance to the intercultural communication community will become clear. Once a complete description of the event and the additional objectives stated above have been produced, an identification and analysis of the various cultural issues that influenced and even caused this event will occur, and the overarching theme of homophobia and heterosexism will emerge. An intercultural approach will be used here, incorporating familiar terminology to better identify, examine, and describe the concepts that are discussed. Cultural, traditional and social influences will be discussed to provide a better understanding of the motivation behind McKinney and Henderson’s actions, as well as to illustrate the broader Published by DOCS@RWU, 2012 1 Proceedings of the New York State Communication Association, Vol. 2011 [2012], Art. 6 theme of homophobia and its influences. Also, though the Matthew Shephard hate crime will remain the central focus, alternative case studies will be included to further demonstrate and support the claims that will be made. Finally, several solutions to the issues mentioned will be addressed, and an evaluation of each of these solutions will follow. This section will incorporate all aspects of this essay, including the historical context in which the Matthew Shephard murder occurred and the intercultural perspective, to address the validity of possible solutions, as well as comment on the current state of homosexual rights in America as a result. Matthew Shephard Hate Crime Description: Early Life and Background Information Matthew Shephard was born on December 1, 1976, to Judy and Dennis Shephard in Casper, Wyoming. As a member of a wealthy family, Shephard grew up in a variety of locations, including Wyoming, North Carolina and Switzerland. This culturally enlightening childhood provided Shephard with an accepting disposition, according to his father. Dennis Shephard describes his son as an optimistic and accepting young man who had a special gift of relating to almost everyone. He was… very approachable and always looked to new challenges. Matthew had a great passion for equality and always stood up for the acceptance of people’s differences. (www.matthewShephard.org) However, in 1995, during a high school trip to Morocco, Matthew Shephard was beaten and raped. This attack began his gradual withdrawal into himself; he began losing contact with his close associates and experiencing severe panic attacks, as well as becoming noticeably depressed. The development of his primary insecurities, revolving around his emerging identity as a gay man, is commonly attributed to this incident. Despite his personal issues, Shephard opted to continue with his education, enrolling in the University of Wyoming as a political science major. It was during this first year at college that the attack, which would lead to his eventual hospitalization and death, occurred. Murder Not long after midnight on October 7, 1998, Shephard, while drinking at the Fireside Lounge in Laramie, Wyoming, encountered Aaron McKinney and Russell Henderson. Both men were familiar with Shephard, having seen him on several occasions at the bar, and both knew that he was gay. It was well known http://docs.rwu.edu/nyscaproceedings/vol2011/iss1/6 2 Muir: Misunderstood: The Matthew Shepherd Hate Crime that he came from a wealthy family, and since his apparel reinforced this notion, McKinney and Henderson selected him as their target for a robbery. He was also very slight of build, making him an easy target for the two athletic men. Since Shephard was clearly too intoxicated to drive, McKinney and Henderson, sensing their opportunity, offered to drive him home. He agreed, but instead of driving him home, Henderson and McKinney brought him to a remote, rural area far outside of the town. Here, they proceeded to rob him, beat him repeatedly about the head and chest with a pistol, and torture him, screaming obscenities, including “faggot,” “pervert,” and “queer” (www.matthewsplace.com). After Shephard had been knocked unconscious, they tied him to a nearby fence with a length of rope and left him there, taking his shoes and wallet with them. Alone and severely injured, Shephard remained tied to that fence for 18 hours, suffering through 16-degree weather and unimaginable pain, until a passing biker, Aaron Kreifels, spotted him. Kreifels, who immediately contacted the police, originally mistook Shephard for a scarecrow. Because of the multiple head injuries he had sustained, Shephard was in a coma by the time he was transported to the nearest hospital. At Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins, Colorado, it was discovered that Shephard had suffered significant fractures to both the back of his head and just in front of his right ear. There was severe brain-stem damage, preventing his body from maintaining a consistent heart rate, body temperature or other vital functions. In addition to these vicious injuries, a dozen or so small lacerations were found around his head, neck and face. After assessing the damage, doctors concluded that his injuries were too great to operate, and he was placed on life- support. While he remained in his coma, several of Laramie’s citizens held candlelight vigils in his honor. He never regained consciousness. He was pronounced dead at 12:53 a.m. on October 12, 1998. Shortly after, Aaron McKinney and Russell Henderson were arrested, connected to the murder by witness testimony stating they had seen the two leave with Shephard earlier, as well as by the shoes and wallet, belonging to Matthew, in their truck. Impact and Current Condition On April 5, 1999, after a relatively straightforward trial, in which McKinney and Henderson both pleaded “gay panic,” claiming they had been driven temporarily insane after Shephard had made sexual advances at them, both men were sentenced to two consecutive life sentences, without the possibility of parole. They both were placed in the Wyoming State Penitentiary, but were later moved to other prisons due to overcrowding. Published by DOCS@RWU, 2012 3 Proceedings of the New York State Communication Association, Vol. 2011 [2012], Art. 6 In the wake of Matthew Shephard’s death, both his mother, Judy, and his father, Dennis, have become prominent supporters of homosexual rights, speaking at countless venues and heightening the awareness of violence and discrimination against gays, using their own son’s tragic death as a dramatic example. To aid in these efforts, Judy and Dennis Shephard have established The Matthew Shephard Foundation, which seeks to “Replace hate with understanding, compassion and acceptance” (www.matthewShephard.org). The organization promotes and supports efforts in local communities
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