An elusive illusion

Yesterday was the tenth anniversary of Matthew Shepard's death. He was a university student in Laramie, Wyoming, who was beaten to death for being gay.

Tonight, in Minneapolis, there will be a special candlelight vigil and presentation of The Laramie Project. His mother, Judy Shepard, has become an outspoken voice for gay and lesbian equality in the U.S. She has served her son's community well.

I had a chance to speak with her last week, and found some of her answers surprising. When I asked her how Matthew's family will mark the tenth anniversary, she told me, in part: "We have great joy in our lives, we are just always conscious of the fact that one of us is not there and that never goes away. It will be a day of remembrance, but it will not be a day of grief."

You can read the entire story here and debate the semantics of the headline as you wish. Later this week, I'll post a link to a radio documentary so you can hear Judy Shepard for yourself.