Gay Rights Activist Judy Shepard Brings Message of Equality to UND

A woman synonymous with gay rights is sharing her son's story with students at the University of North Dakota.

Judy Shepard travels all over fighting for equality ever since her son Matthew was murdered for being gay.

It's been almost 13 years since Matthew Shepard was tortured and killed near Laramie, Wyoming. Judy Shepard says a lot has changed since his death but her job isn't done.

She feels political headlines, like the recent repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell is a step in the right direction towards equality.

She says people are still judged on their sexuality, color, race or anything that qualifies as different. At her lecture Monday night, she said reasons like these made the two men who killed her son think it was alright.

She has some advice to prevent similar situations.

"Educate, educate, educate. Bring understanding where you see hate and ignorance. Bring light where there is darkness. Bring freedom where there is fear. And begin to heal," Shepard said.

Tuesday night only on WDAZ news at six and ten, see the exclusive sit-down interview with Judy Shepard. She talks about the 13 years after her son's murder and where she is at with her fight for equal rights.

Tags: your town, gay rights, judy shepard, grand forks, matthew shepard, brady mallory, news, und