Photo: matthewshepard.org
Dennis and Judy Shepard's gay son Matthew Shepard was murdered in October 1998.
The 21-year-old University of Wyoming student's death remains one of America's most high-profile cases of hate crime against an LGBTQI+ person.
The grieving Shepards created a foundation in his name, and led the fight to pass the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Act, to help the federal government track and prosecute LGBTQI+ hate crimes.
Dennis and Judy have been visiting New Zealand speaking at a range of events, including with NZ Police, to highlight LGBTQI+ security concerns and share their story.
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