Audience guide • part 1: Preparing To See the Epilogue

THE LARAMIE PROJECT: TEN YEARS LATER AN EPILOGUE o t o h p : m i t

t u n s e h c

Inside This Guide Overview of the Epilogue . . .3 . Previewing the Script . . . . 6.

Guidelines for Discussion . . .4 . When Events Become Lightning Rods ...... 7. Facts and Rumors: Activating Pre-Existing Knowledge . . . 5. Dealing with Controversy . . .8 .

The Meaning of Matthew . . .5 . The Road to Laramie: 10 Activities . 9.

Tectonic Theater Project gratefully acknowledges the Rockefeller Foundation, Time Warner and HBO for their generous support of this Audience Guide. TECTONIC THEATER PROJECT Introduction to this guide f r i e d m a n k e n

On October 12, 2009, audiences in Between now and October 12, this It’s a fallacy to try to define Web guide will be updated and more than 130 cities in the United expanded weekly to include: “Laramie the way one would describe States and abroad will attend the • Background on the town of an individual. There are 27,000 Laramie and on The Laramie premiere of The Laramie Project: Project people in Laramie. There are at • Brief history of Tectonic Ten Years Later — An Epilogue . Theater Project and description least 27,000 Laramies. of its unique process of creating This publication is designed to innovative, cutting-edge theater —m o i s é s k a u f m a n”, c r e at o r o f using interviews and other t h e l a r a m i e p r o j e c t enhance audience members’ documentary elements • Information essential to experience at the theater; offer understanding the Epilogue, including: background and context; and guide • Timeline • Synopses students, teachers, parents and • Character identification The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later • Analysis of theatrical writers Moisés Kaufman, other community members as they elements Leigh Fondakowski, Greg Pierotti, Andy Paris • Discussion questions and and Stephen Belber engage in discussion of—and activities linked to key themes dramaturg Jimmy Maize and concepts in the Epilogue, Audience Guide to The Laramie Project: reflection on—this groundbreaking to be conducted before and Ten Years Later writers Bennett Singer and after audiences attend the Ellen Gordon Reeves piece of theater . October 12 performance design ShapiroDesign • Primary-source document Tectonic Theater Project analysis with links to the sources artistic director Moisés Kaufman • Resources, reviews and executive director Greg Reiner reactions

2 AUDIENCE GUIDE TO THE LARAMIE PROJECT: TEN YEARS LATER—An Epilogue The Epilogue: Overview tesy s e rt u o c

w e h t t a m

ard r pa e h s

tion o i at d n u o f

In October 1998, on the Kaufman, Leigh Fondakowski, Greg I don’t know what the hell outskirts of Laramie, Wyoming, Pierotti, Andy Paris and Stephen a 21-year-old gay college student Belber returned to Laramie to “[Matthew] was trying to do, but named Matthew Shepard was interview the same people. These savagely beaten, tied to a fence interviews focus on how Laramie I beat him up pretty bad. Think I and left to die in the frigid night. has changed: politically, socially, Characterized as a hate crime, religiously and educationally. Using killed him. the murder became a watershed “Moment Work,” Tectonic’s unique historical moment in civil rights approach to developing plays, the ”—a a r o n mck i n n e y , in a in America. In the aftermath of new interviews have been crafted into t a p e -r e c o r d e d c o n f e s s i o n t o Shepard’s death, Moisés Kaufman an Epilogue to The Laramie Project. t h e a l b a n y c o u n t y , w y o m i n g , s h e r i f f ’s d e pa r t m e n t and members of Tectonic Theater Project made six trips to Laramie; On October 12, 2009—the 11th over the course of 18 months, they anniversary of Shepard’s death— conducted more than 200 interviews The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later with residents of the town. Using will premiere simultaneously in New interview transcripts, court York, Laramie and more than 130 documents and media reportage as cities across America and around source material, they created the world. The New York production The Laramie Project, a play that will be performed by the original cast chronicles how the community members of the play and film, while grappled with the slaying. The play other participants include professional won numerous awards and is one regional theaters, community groups, of the most-performed pieces of high schools and universities. To theater in America today. It was assist artists in performing the play, made into a film for HBO and has Tectonic company members will travel been seen by more than 30 million the country prior to the October 12 people across the country. premiere and conduct workshops with partners as they set up their Ten years later, in the fall of productions. For a list of performance 2008, company members Moisés sites, visit www.laramieproject.org.

AUDIENCE GUIDE TO THE LARAMIE PROJECT: TEN YEARS LATER­—An Epilogue 3 In conjunction with the premiere, an interactive community has been Guidelines for launched at www.laramieproject.org Discussion where participants can blog, upload video and photos, and share The following guidelines, developed their experiences in preparing and by the editors of Teaching Tolerance, presenting the Epilogue in their can help ensure that discussion communities. The members of of The Laramie Project: Ten Years Tectonic Theater Project will be Later remains constructive: active participants in the online • Participants should agree on a community, offering participants set of ground rules that will steer feedback and encouragement as the the discussion. Ask for input on project develops. what these principles should be. Examples include a commitment Tectonic Theater Project to confidentiality and to respect h b o and its Mission others, a ban on the use of slurs, Since its founding in 1991, and an agreement that only one One of the things that was Tectonic Theater Project has used person will speak at a time. theater to instigate national debate • When discussing issues related to “very clear from the start is the with productions including The sexual orientation, it is imperative Laramie Project. Tectonic focuses that participants and moderators question of how does one measure on watershed historical moments— resist the urge to place lesbian, times when the ideas, beliefs and gay, bisexual or transgender youth, change. Is it in the number of ideologies that are the pillars those who are perceived to be of a certain culture at a certain LGBT, or those with LGBT friends public monuments that have been time— surface around a specific or family members in the spotlight. event. “When this happens,” says Participants will enter into the con- erected? Is it in the number of laws Tectonic’s Artistic Director Moisés versation as they feel comfortable. Kaufman, “the event itself operates • It is the moderator’s role to that have been passed? Is it in the as a lightning rod that allows us establish as comfortable a set- to see clearly, for a brief time, ting as possible and to establish number of people whose views have what ideas that society is made of. a forum for a free and respectful The issues in the Epilogue are just exchange of ideas. Special care been changed? as relevant now as they were in must be taken to ensure that those 1998. These last 10 years have not holding a minority view are not —m o i s é s k” a u f m a n , c r e at o r o f been the best 10 years for social vilified by those on “the other t h e l a r a m i e p r o j e c t change—not only for the gay and side.” The moderator should also lesbian community, but also for any pose questions to help keep the issue of social justice. As an artist, conversation on track. I feel like the question is: ‘What • For an activity and handout on can theater do now in America? how to discuss controversial How can we play a role in the issues—focusing on the pervasive national dialogue?’ ” putdown “You’re so gay!—visit www.tolerance.org/activity/ controversial-issues.

4 AUDIENCE GUIDE TO THE LARAMIE PROJECT: TEN YEARS LATER—An Epilogue FACTS AND RUMORS: Understanding the events that led to a brutal killing—and assessing its legacy

It’s not that I think Matt A good first step in preparing to see The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later “was meant to be murdered or that is to brainstorm with the group about prior knowledge and pre- Henderson and McKinney were conceptions about the murder of Matthew Shepard. driven by anything other than their Brainstorm and list own hatred when they killed my answers to the following questions: son. That’s certainly not the case. 1. What do you know about Matthew Shepard and the It’s just that, after things went so events surrounding his death in Laramie, Wyoming, in horribly off track that night—in October 1998? How did you learn this information? that typical local bar in that typical Name your sources. 2. Have you seen The Laramie For Discussion American town—it seemed to all Project in play or film form? 1. What facts about Matthew What do you remember most? Shepard’s murder are reported of us that somebody, something, or Make a distinction in the discus- in this article? What controver- sion between facts and specula- sies have arisen over the facts of some power stepped in to, as much tion or rumor, and between the case? primary and secondary sources. 2. What do those who claim as possible, set things right. What have you learned about the Shepard’s murder was not a hate case since? crime believe happened? What —j u d y s h” e pa r d , 3. What is a hate crime? List recent evidence exists to the contrary? m a t t h e w s h e pa r d ’s m o t h e r , and historical examples. 3. How have Judy Shepard and Dave in h e r n e w b o o k , t h e m e a n i n g o f m a t t h e w O’Malley been transformed by the LAWS AGAINST HATE: death of Matthew Shepard? How The Meaning of Matthew are they attempting to turn the Read “11 Years After Shepard’s tragedy into positive action? Death, Mom Pushes for Hate- 4. According to the article, what is Crime Law,” USA Today’s recent the Matthew Shepard Act? What article about Matthew Shepard’s impact would this new law have on mother Judy and her new book, The the prosecution of hate crimes? Meaning of Matthew: My Son’s 5. What is the history of this Murder in Laramie and a World legislation? On what basis have Transformed. (The article is online opponents objected to it? at www.usatoday.com/news/nation/ 6. Where does the Obama 2009-09-07-shepard_N.htm.) Then Administration stand on federal discuss the following questions: hate-crime legislation?

AUDIENCE GUIDE TO THE LARAMIE PROJECT: TEN YEARS LATER­—An Epilogue 5 Previewing the Script: “That’s what we’re famous for”

After reading and discussing the USA Today article presented on page 5 of this guide, consider this excerpt from the script of The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later.

Excerpted Moment: Two Guys at the Strip Mall

NARRATOR: Company member Greg Pierotti. e t t e n a n

Romaine Patterson at the fence where n i t r a m GREG PIEROTTI: One of the first things we did when we got to Matthew Shepard was left to die Laramie this time was walk around the town conducting informal interviews. Talking to two guys at the strip mall on Third, I ask: For Discussion What do you remember about the Matt Shepard story? 1. What and where is the fence? What makes it significant? GUY 1: I’ve only been here four months. The only thing I know about it 2. Who is Greg Pierotti and why is I remember it from the news when it happened. He took me out where is he surprised that the fence is it happened. gone? What is the explanation for its disappearance? GUY 2: Yeah, I just brought him out to the area there, out by Walmart. 3. Discuss what Guy 2 means when he says, “That’s what we’re GREG PIEROTTI: You showed him the fence? famous for.” Is this how Laramie will always be known? To what GUY 2: Well, you know, just to that area out there. They took the extent should the town be fence down. allowed to forget and move on? 4. What is the difference between GREG PIEROTTI: They took it down? fame and notoriety? What does it mean that the fence is gone and yet GUY 2: Oh yeah. people still visit the site? Should there be a memorial at the site or GREG PIEROTTI: Really? The fence ... where Matt Shepard was killed? elsewhere in Laramie, given that the land where the fence stood is GUY 2: Definitely. It’s gone. For a while now. privately owned? 5. What kind of memorial would you GREG PIEROTTI: Why did they take it down? propose to honor the memory of Matthew Shepard? What would GUY 2: The owners didn’t want people coming on their property. People it look like? Consider modern still do, though, even though it’s gone. They got “no trespassing” signs memorials and controversies over all over the place out there. them: the Vietnam Memorial in Washington DC, Ground Zero, GREG PIEROTTI: So, why’d you bring him out there then? Columbine, the FDR Memorial and others—including those in GUY 2: Because that’s what we’re famous for. your community.

6 AUDIENCE GUIDE TO THE LARAMIE PROJECT: TEN YEARS LATER—An Epilogue n e k

n a m d e i r f

My friend Matthew created When Events Become Lightning Rods “more change in his death than he In this excerpt from the introduction to The Laramie Project, playwright may have ever achieved in his life. Moisés Kaufman explains where the idea for this play came from:

He was one man. One man that There are moments in history when a particular event brings the various ideologies and beliefs prevailing in a culture into sharp focus. At these knew he could change the world. junctures, the event becomes a lighting rod of sorts, attracting and distilling the essence of these philosophies and convictions. By paying careful attention He serves as a reminder to all of in moments like this to people’s words, one is able to hear the way these prevailing ideas affect not only individual lives but also the culture at large… us that as one person we too can The brutal murder of Matthew Shepard was an event of this kind. In create a change in our community its immediate aftermath, the nation launched into a dialogue that brought to the surface how we think and talk about homosexuality, and schools. sexual politics, education, class, violence, privileges and rights, and the difference between tolerance and acceptance. ”—r o m a i n e pat t e r s o n , m a t t h e w s h e pa r d ’s b e s t f r i e n d The idea for The Laramie Project originated in my desire to learn more about why Matthew Shepard was murdered; about what happened that night; about the town of Laramie. The idea of listening to the citizens talk really interested me. How is Laramie different from the rest of the country and how is it similar?

For Discussion As you learn more about Laramie, consider these questions: • How is Laramie similar to and different from your own community? • Could a hate crime happen in your community—or has your community experienced hate crimes?

AUDIENCE GUIDE TO THE LARAMIE PROJECT: TEN YEARS LATER­—An Epilogue 7 l l i b

s m a i l l i w

Dealing with ed, she held a 20-minute ceremony in Shepard’s death has changed. Controversy a nearby park in which students wrote What factual evidence is pre- While The Laramie Project is their thoughts and rolled them into he- sented in the Epilogue regarding presented in theaters and schools lium balloons, then released them . Shepard’s killing? nationwide for its artistic and The next day, Taylor says, 4. Choose a “lightning-rod issue” academic value, the play often Superintendent Ed Turlington canceled that has divided your class, school attracts controversy that takes the class . After she complained to a or community. What are the on a life of its own. An article school board member, Turlington put facts? According to whom? Write in USA Today—published on her on paid leave and recommended your own summary of the facts, March 16, 2009, and available that she be fired . The school board ap- then create an alternate version online at www.usatoday.com/news/ proved her resignation . . from the opposition. Discuss. education/2009-03-16-teacher- 5. Identify an issue in the news that laramie_N.htm —reported: Activities for Writing has sparked controversy. Using [In January 2009] Debra Taylor and Research the Web and other sources, find showed students at Grandfield High articles, blog posts and other School [in Grandfield, Oklahoma]The 1. What makes The Laramie Project commentary that present the Laramie Project, a 2002 film based controversial? Why do you think varying sides of the controversy. on the play of the same name, about it has become one of the most- Which facts are agreed upon by the murder of Matthew Shepard . The performed plays in America? different sides? Where do the students soon decided to film selected 2. Imagine that you could interview facts and interpretations differ? scenes themselves for an in-class project . Debra Taylor, Ed Turlington and (Example: Consider the address Taylor, 50, knew the project was students in Ms. Taylor’s class. What to students that President Obama controversial with strong language, but questions would you ask? delivered on September 8, 2009.) got her principal’s permission . A few 3. As you watch the Epilogue, note 6. Choose a lightning-rod issue in weeks into it, the principal told her to how and why the interpretation your own life. Write about it and stop production . After students protest- of events surrounding Matthew share with a partner if you choose.

8 AUDIENCE GUIDE TO THE LARAMIE PROJECT: TEN YEARS LATER—An Epilogue

h b o than MatthewShepard. community this for more done has “ I cannot mention anyone who who I cannotmentionanyone e i m a r a l — r e h t a f tholic i l o h at c , g n i m o y w

r e g o r ” AUDIENCE GUIDETO

t s e i r p

t i m h c s , 1998

in ,

R AMIE PROJECT THELA ➐ ➏ ➎ ➍ ➓ ➒ ➑ ➌ ➋ ➊ 10 Ways toPrep THE RO           • • • • Matthew Shepard’skillingonLaramieand/or aboutthe Do researchtofindadditionalquotesaboutthe impactof Read anddiscussthequotationspresentedinthisguide. ties anddiscussionssuggestedinthisguide. Plan timesforyourclassorcommunitytoengageintheactivi report onyourstate’spoliciestheseissues. domestic partnerrightsandsame-sexmarriage.Research hate crimes;andcoverageoflegislativeissuessurrounding stories abouttheEpilogueandanniversary;articles Monitor localandnationalmediainthenextfewweeksfor “pen pal”e-mailcorrespondence. a siteinyourstate,orchooseanotherandcreate tab at October 12,2009.Seethelistunder“FindaPerformance” Note whichsitesareparticipatingintheEpiloguepremiereon www.LaramieProject.or of theEpilogue. Share your questions with theCome upwithalistof questions you’dliketoaskthecreators online community at performance and/or residencies. plan tovideotapeortake digitalphotosofyourrehearsals, www.LaramieProject.or Brainstorm waystobecomepartoftheonline communityat before andafterOctober12,2009. more themes, moments and/or characters to trace and report on Assign eachparticipantorsmallgroupofparticipants oneor Epilogue. Shareyourfindingswithclass orgroup. Read thesebackgroundarticlesontheEpilogue: www.timeclassroom.com/larami questions, contextandactivitiesrelatedtothefilm,visit do thescriptandfilmversionsdiffer?Fordiscussion See theHBOfilmversionof Read orre-readthescriptof The MeaningofMatthew: Back toLaramie Laramie KillingGivenEpilogueaDecadeLater Has AnythingChanged Arts_and_Entertainment/Books/The_Meaning_of_Matthew__An_Excerp Back_to_Larami www.nytimes.com/2008/09/17/theater/17laramie.html?pagewanted=2&_r= www.LaramieProject.or L AD TO : TENYE ARS LA e

www.advocate.com/Arts_and_Entertainment/Theater/ are FORVIEWINGtheEpilogue ARMIE g g . . If photography is permitted atyoursite, TER­ ?

www.newsweek.com/id/16302 An Excerpt — The LaramieProject The LaramieProject An Epilogue g . Considerpartneringwith e

www.advocate.com/

. How . 7 t 1 9 - Audience guide• p art 2: ISSUES AND THEMES IN FOCUS

THE LARAMIE PROJECT: TEN YEARS LATER AN EPILOGUE o t o h p : m i t

t u n s e h c

Inside This Guide Laramie, Wyoming: “An Outdoor Town with an Outlaw Past” ...... 2 Map of U .S . Hate Crime Laws ...... 10

Laramie Then and Now: Measuring Change . . . .4 The Laramie Project: A Chronology ...... 11

One Visitor’s Impressions ...... 6 House of Representatives Resolution 777 . . . .13

Expanding Laws Against Hate: The Shepard Act . . 8 Resources for Further Exploration ...... 15

Tectonic Theater Project gratefully acknowledges the Rockefeller Foundation, Time Warner and HBO for their generous support of this Audience Guide. TECTONIC THEATER PROJECT Laramie: ‘An outdoor town with an outlaw past’ t r u m p m a t t h e w

There’s so much space Laramie, Wyoming—which calls In its early days, the town of itself “An Outdoor Town with an Laramie was “ungovernable,” “between people and towns here, Outlaw Past”—is famous for its in the words of its first mayor, rugged mountains, sprawling M.C. Brown, who lasted just so much time for reflection. prairies and Wild West traditions. three weeks on the job before Situated in southeastern Wyoming, quitting in 1868. Brown was the —r e b e c c a h” i l l i k e r , 130 miles north of Denver and object of threats from three half- u n i v e r s i t y o f w y o m i n g p r o f e s s o r , 7,200 feet above sea level, the brothers—“Big” Steve Long, q u o t e d in t h e l a r a m i e p r o j e c t town is home to some 27,000 Ace Moyer and Con Moyer—who residents and to the University owned a saloon called Bucket of of Wyoming, the school Matthew Blood. The brothers took the law The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later Shepard attended before his into their own hands, forcing set- writers Moisés Kaufman, murder in 1998. tlers to turn over their property Leigh Fondakowski, Greg Pierotti, Andy Paris deeds to them. Those who resist- and Stephen Belber Founded in the mid-1860s, ed were shot; by October 1868, dramaturg Jimmy Maize Laramie is named for Jacques Long had killed 13 men. Audience Guide to The Laramie Project: LaRamie, a trapper who was one Ten Years Later writers Bennett Singer and of the first Europeans to reach Albany County’s first sheriff, Ellen Gordon Reeves the American West. In addition to N.K. Boswell, organized a vigilance design ShapiroDesign the city of Laramie, the trapper committee, and on October 28, Tectonic Theater Project also lends his name to a mountain 1868, led a group of armed artistic director Moisés Kaufman range, river, county and U.S. men into Bucket of Blood. After executive director Greg Reiner Army fort. overpowering the three brothers,

2 AUDIENCE GUIDE TO THE LARAMIE PROJECT: TEN YEARS LATER—An Epilogue LARAMIE LYNCHING: This rare photo documents the hanging of Steve Long, Con Moyer and Ace Moyer in October 1868.

Now, after Matthew, I would “say that Laramie is a town defined by an accident, a crime .... We’re a noun, a definition, a sign. We may be able to get rid of that ... but it will sure take a while. —j e d a d” i a h s c h u lt z , l a r a m i e r e s i d e n t , in a 1998 i n t e r v i e w

Boswell and his men lynched them. States to cast a legal ballot when For Discussion A number of other lynchings fol- she voted in September 1870. 1. Have you been to Laramie or lowed. It took this kind of violence have you seen The Laramie for Boswell to impose a degree of Laramie’s early businesses included Project play or film? What law and order on Laramie. a slaughterhouse, a brickyard, a actual or imagined images of brewery, a glass-blowing plant and Laramie have you retained? A year later, in 1869, the a plaster mill. Several railroads 2. What are your impressions of Wyoming Territory was orga- were based in Laramie, and in Wyoming, and where do these nized. In its first session, the 1886 Governor Francis E. Warren impressions come from? What Wyoming legislature passed a signed a bill that established the other depictions of Wyoming bill giving women equal politi- University of Wyoming (UW). have you seen or read about? cal rights—including the right to Laramie was selected as the site, (Consider Brokeback Mountain, vote. As the first state to grant and UW opened there in 1887. other films and news reports.) this right to women, Wyoming The university, the only four-year 3. Why is Wyoming known as the became known as the Equality institution in the state, has grown Equality State? In what ways State. Five female Laramie resi- dramatically and now has a student was the state a trailblazer? dents made history in 1870 when body of 13,000. Since 2003, UW 4. What is your reaction to the they became the first women in has hosted the Shepard Symposium 1868 photograph and cap- the world to serve on a jury. And for Social Justice, an annual event tion shown above? What con- because Laramie was the first held to honor Matthew Shepard’s nections do you see between Wyoming town to hold a local memory by focusing on strategies Laramie’s history as described election, a Laramie native was to eliminate inequality and in this section and the Matthew the first woman in the United promote justice. Shepard case?

AUDIENCE GUIDE TO THE LARAMIE PROJECT: TEN YEARS LATER­—An Epilogue 3 LARAMIE THEN AND NOW: measuring CHANGE

Consider the following descrip- tions of Laramie in 1998 and 2008 . Some of these comments come from Laramie residents; others come from outsiders who visited the town and shared their impressions . How might your community or neighbor- hood be described by visitors or journalists? When you watch

the Epilogue, listen for the ways e t t e n a n that Laramie residents describe

n i t r a m their own town, in contrast to and / in concert with the perceptions w e n

t h g i l

of outsiders . a i d e m

Journal Entries: 1998 like a turn-of-the-century western These excerpts are drawn from the town. Oh, and as we passed the script of the original Laramie Project. University Inn, on the sign where amenities such as heated pool or COMPANY MEMBER cable TV are usually touted, it said: GREG PIEROTTI: We arrived HATE IS NOT A LARAMIE VALUE. today in the Denver airport and drove to Laramie. The moment we crossed the Wyoming border I swear I saw Reporters: 1998 a herd of Buffalo. Also, I thought it NEWSPERSON 1: Laramie, Wyoming— was strange that the Wyoming sign often called the Gem City of the said: WYOMING—LIKE NO PLACE ON Plains— is now at the eye of the storm. EARTH instead of WYOMING—LIKE NO NEWSPERSON 2: The cowboy state PLACE ELSE ON EARTH. has its rednecks and yahoos, for sure, but there are no more bigots per h b o COMPANY MEMBER capita in Wyoming than there are in BARBARA PITTS: We arrived New York, Florida or California. The in Laramie tonight. Just past difference is that in Wyoming there the WELCOME TO LARAMIE sign are fewer places to blend in if you’re —POPULATION 26,687—the first anything other than prairie stock.... thing to greet us was Walmart. In NEWSPERSON 4: People would like the dark, we could be on any main to think that what happened to drag in America—fast-food chains, Matthew was an exception to the gas stations. But as we drove into rule, but it was an extreme version the downtown area by the railroad of what happens in our schools on a tracks, the buildings still looked daily basis.

4 AUDIENCE GUIDE TO THE LARAMIE PROJECT: TEN YEARS LATER—An Epilogue “Things are going really well and the coffers are filling. Now, some of these communities they’re drill- ing in are just getting hammered in terms of the environment—the goose that’s laying the golden egg is crapping all over you, but it’s still producing golden eggs.”

— j e f f r e y l o c k w o o d l a r a m i e r e s i d e n t m e d i a “How has Laramie changed? These l i g h t days in Wyoming with the coal-bed n e w / The Fireside Bar, methane boom and—the energy where Matthew Shepard met m a r t i n Aaron McKinney and Russell industry—like Dick Cheney sold Henderson on October 7, 1998.

n a n e t t e half our state to Halliburton. But people don’t seem to mind.”

Laramie hasn’t done much Laramie 2008 —m a t t m i c k e l s o n , In these excerpts from the Epilogue, f o r m e r o w n e r o f t h e f i r e s i d e b a r , worse or better on gay rights residents and visitors describe w h e r e m a t t h e w s h e pa r d “ m e t h i s a s s a i l a n t s . Laramie ten years after Matthew (t h e b a r h a s b e e n s o l d a n d than most other places around the Shepard was killed. r e n a m e d jj’s.)

country, so who am I to come in “My gut reaction is that Laramie is “On the surface things have a somewhat better place to be than changed here—just look around you and expect Laramie to be reach- it was ten years ago, but I don’t at the physical growth. But whether know how to tell the story of the or not we have changed the under- ing some goal that my own state past ten years without having to lying culture of Wyoming at all— think about both what we’ve done, I don’t know.”

hasn’t attained? but also what we haven’t done.” —r e b e c c a h i l l i k e r , t h e at e r p r o f e s s o r , u n i v e r s i t y o f w y o m i n g —b e t h l o f f r e d a , —t e c t o n i c c o m” pa n y m e m b e r a n d u n i v e r s i t y o f w y o m i n g p r o f e s s o r n e w y o r k r e s i d e n t g r e g p i e r o t t i , “I think the people who were in a 2008 j o u r n a l e n t r y “Arriving into town off Highway outraged by Matthew Shepard’s 80, I am surprised by how much murder are still outraged. I think the town has grown. There is an that hardcore Wyoming faction explosion of new development on who said: ‘That little faggot the east side. At least three brand got what he deserved’—they’re new hotels and several strip malls. still right here and they’re still Walmart has been replaced by teaching their children the same Super Walmart.” thing.”

—l e i g h fondakowski , —z a c k i e s a l m o n , m e m b e r o f t e c t o n i c t h e at e r p r o j e c t l a r a m i e r e s i d e n t

AUDIENCE GUIDE TO THE LARAMIE PROJECT: TEN YEARS LATER­—An Epilogue 5 a n d y pa r i s (6) 6 first andwhatisuniversallyacknowledged.” talksabout there aremanyreasons,butthisiswhateverybody people whoask,‘WhydoesanyoneliveinLaramie?’Obviously themselves. TheyarethemostsuccinctanswerI’vefoundfor between LaramieandCheyenne.Ithinkthepicturesspeakfor [UW professor]BethLoffredainV that aremorewoodedandmountainousfrommywalkwith resident] JonasSlonakerjustoutsideofLaramie.Theones “The photosontheprairiearefrommywalkwith[Laramie Heofferedthisbackgroundontheimages: Laramie. Later Years Ten Andy Paris, oneofthewriters J Visit One

mpression , sharedthesephotosfromhistripsto AUDIENCE GUIDETO edauwoo, anationalpark The Laramie Project: Project: Laramie The R AMIE PROJECT THELA o s r’s : TENYE ARS LA TER — An Epilogue For Discussion or Writing “When I am out and about in Nature 1. According to the residents quoted on pages 4 and 5, how have Laramie in par- around Laramie, I feel free from the ticular and Wyoming in general changed since 1998? bondage and limitations of my small 2. What are your reactions to the statement by Jonas Slonaker and to the form and am connected to something photos taken by Andy Paris? Does seeing these images make you want to greater than myself. When I weigh live in or visit a place like Laramie? Why or why not? things on the scales in my mind 3. If your computer can play video, go to concerning where I want to be and http://media.visitlaramie.org/flash/player and watch the videos that are live, the space and nature around presented there. How does Laramie present itself? What image does the Laramie is always Number One on town project through these videos? the list. I can drive in any direction 4. If you were setting out to measure how your town had changed over the from town, and in 10 to 30 minutes course of the last ten years, what would you look for? What questions be all alone out on the prairie, in the would you ask? To whom would you talk? Brainstorm a list. foothills, or in the mountains by a 5. As you watch the Epilogue, keep in mind Beth Loffreda’s remark that she lake or stream, under a tree, or in the can’t think about the story without reflecting not only on what has been full force of the wind. I didn’t know done but on what has not been done, and Rebecca Hilliker’s observation Matthew so I don’t know what his that while Laramie may have changed physically, she’s not sure how much connection to the land of Wyoming the underlying culture of Laramie has changed. How would you describe was or if he felt a strong bond to it your own neighborhood or community, physically and politically, now and like I do. However, I do know that the ten years ago? How has it changed and/or grown? How is it changing land, the space and the wind were now? How would you describe its “underlying culture” then and now? able to absorb and disperse his pain.” What do you think it will look like in ten years? What kind of changes,

—j o n a s s l o n a k e r , u n i v e r s i t y o f concrete and abstract, happen over time naturally in a community? How w y o m i n g administrator a n d can change be brought about intentionally? If your community has had a o p e n ly g a y r e s i d e n t o f l a r a m i e watershed moment, consider its short-term and long-term effects.

AUDIENCE GUIDE TO THE LARAMIE PROJECT: TEN YEARS LATER­—An Epilogue 7 expanding laws against hate: the shepard act

Hate crimes—also known as bias- when the victim is engaging in a motivated crimes—are committed federally protected activity, such when a perpetrator targets a victim as voting or attending school. on the basis of his or her perceived The Matthew Shepard Act race, religion, sexual orientation, (officially known as the Local disability, ethnicity, nationality, Law Enforcement Hate Crimes age, gender, gender identity or Prevention Act, or LLEHCPA) would political affiliation. The role of these expand this law to include crimes personal characteristics (or the motivated by a victim’s perceived perception of these characteristics) or actual sexual orientation, gender, in motivating the offender is the gender identity or disability. The bill primary difference between hate would also remove the requirement crimes and other criminal acts. that the victim be engaging in a m a r t i n federally protected activity. n a n e t t e Forty-five states and the District of Columbia impose extra penalties for Beyond this, the Shepard Act would certain types of hate crimes. Thirty give federal officials the power to One of my highest personal states and the District of Columbia investigate hate crimes that local have enacted laws that punish hate authorities elect not to pursue; “priorities ... is to do everything I crimes based on sexual orienta- provide new funding to help state tion. Wyoming is one of five states and local agencies prosecute hate can to ensure this critical legislation that have no hate-crime legislation. crimes; and require the FBI to State Representative Mike Massie record statistics on hate crimes com- finally becomes law. of Laramie has sponsored several mitted against transgender people. anti-bias bills in the Wyoming leg- (Statistics for the other targeted —u.s. at t” o r n e y g e n e r a l islature, but all have failed because groups are already recorded.) e r i c h o l d e r , a t a j u n e 2009 of lawmakers’ objections to the s e n a t e h e a r i n g o n t h e m a t t h e w s h e pa r d a c t inclusion of enhanced penalties for Arguments Pro and Con crimes based on sexual orientation. The Shepard Act has a long history “I am so angry over the fact that it of debate in the U.S. Congress. On never passed,” Massie said, because April 2, 2009, Representative John Americans outside the state can Conyers of Michigan introdu