In 1998, death of Matthew Shepard, a 21 year-old student at the University of Wyoming, thrust violence against LGBT people into national and world spotlights. The severity and brutality of Matthew’s murder – beaten, tied to a fence, and left to die outside of Laramie, Wyoming – underscores the importance of proactively combating hate crimes and building a society that values dignity of every human being.

In remembrance of Matthew and the many other LGBT victims of homophobic and transphobic violence, the 11^th Annual Matthew Shepard March will take place on Saturday, October 17^th, from 7pm-11pm. Beginning with a rally in the 7-Eleven parking lot at the corner of Halsted and Roscoe, the march will travel the streets of Lakeview, past the office of Alderman Tom Tunney, as well as the 23^rd District Chicago Police Station.

Eleven long years after Matthew Shepard’s brutal death, the goal of securing hate crimes legislation seems to be an impending reality, thanks in great part to the efforts of ordinary people across America who decided that this was a priority. People from all walks of life took notice of persistent violence against LGBT people, and they began to demand an extension of hate-crimes legislation to protect the community. On October 7^th, the Senate conference committee published the final version of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. The US House of Representatives passed the conference bill on October 8^th. The Senate must now vote on the conference report before it is sent to President Obama.

Every hour of every day, at least one hate crime offense is committed somewhere in the United States. Of those attacked, it is estimated that at least 15% of hate crimes – including harassment, bullying, beatings, rape and murder – are related to a person’s perceived or actual sexual orientation or gender identity. This important legislation will give the Justice Department the power to investigate and prosecute bias-motivated violence, and will protect people base on actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.

Equality Illinois applauds Illinois Congressional delegation for its support in the House of Representatives, as well as both Senator Dick Durbin and Senator Roland Burris for co-sponsoring the Senate bill.