The Matthew Shepard Foundation is celebrating its 20th anniversary year on October 20th, 2018. The organization will honor Olympian Adam Rippon, poet Lesléa Newman, Chance Mitchell & Justin Nelson of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), and youth advocates Drew Adams & Ose Arheghan.
The event will run from 6pm until 10pm at the Hilton City Center in Downtown Denver, CO.
“We are ecstatic to welcome all the honorees to Denver. Each of them has made an impact in their various fields and are making a difference in the the lives of the LGBTQ+ community and exude the spirit of Matt. For that, we are so thankful,” said Judy Shepard, the Foundation’s founder and board president.
Judy and Dennis Shepard, the parents of Matthew Shepard–whose brutal and homophobic murder was the impetus for the Matthew Shepard Foundation as well as the Hate Crimes Prevention Act–will be speaking at the event.
The Matthew Shepard Foundation’s longstanding mission is to erase hate by replacing it with understanding, compassion and acceptance. Through local, regional and national outreach, we empower individuals to find their voice to create change and challenge communities to identify and address hate that lives within their schools, neighborhoods and homes.