Gay Today: World

Judy Shepard to George W:
Why are You Doing This?

Compiled by GayToday

Matthew Shepard's parents

Washington, D.C.—A new radio advertisement aired Monday featuring Judy Shepard, the mother of Matthew Shepard, a University of Wyoming student who was killed because he was gay.

Mrs. Shepard took part in the ad, sponsored by the Human Rights Campaign to hold GOP presidential candidate George W. Bush accountable for his stated opposition in the second debate to comprehensive federal hate crimes legislation.

"Governor Bush owes the American public an explanation of why he opposes the Hate Crimes Prevention Act which he referred to as the Kennedy hate crimes bill," explained Elizabeth Birch, HRC Executive Director.

The new radio campaign is playing in media markets where Bush is traveling, beginning today in St. Louis, Missouri. The ad will continue following Bush on the campaign trail until he answers the question posed by Mrs. Shepard. A spending figure for the campaign is not available due to the open-ended nature of the run.

In the radio ad, Shepard pointedly asks Bush to explain his opposition to the Kennedy hate crimes bill. Shepard illustrates the need for passage of the Hate Crimes Prevention Act by pointing to the way two separate hate crimes were handled that took place in 1998.

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Further, Shepard makes the point that the Kennedy hate crimes bill is not about punishment as Gov. Bush continues to assert, and only about providing law enforcement with new tools to combat hate violence.

The ad features Mrs. Shepard speaking by telephone and is directed at Bush.

Text of the Ad:

"Governor Bush, my name is Judy Shepard. Two years ago my son Matthew was murdered because he was gay. Last week you said in the debate that you opposed the Kennedy hate crimes bill. I want to know why? It has nothing to do with punishment. It has everything to do with giving law enforcement new tools in combating hate violence. Your own state received federal help in convicting the murderers of James Byrd Jr. Law enforcement in Jasper, Texas received $284,000 to help them with the crime."

"In Laramie, Wyoming, the sheriff's department had to layoff 4 deputies because of the cost of investigating and prosecuting my son's murderers. The detectives got the job done, but they support the Kennedy hate crimes bill because they did not get federal assistance. Why? Because sexual orientation is not covered in current hate crimes law."

"I am asking American families to call you, Governor, at 512-463-2000 and ask why you said you support Senator Hatch's bill which is much weaker and excludes sexual orientation. Will you support including sexual orientation in federal hate crimes law? Governor Bush, we deserve an answer."

Paid for by the Human Rights Campaign.