"Laramie (Wyo.)" . . "Homicide Laramie (Wyo.)" . . "Children United States Death." . . "1900 - 1999" . . . . "The meaning of Matthew my son's murder in Laramie, and a world transformed"@en . "The mother of Matthew Shepard shares her story about her son's death and the choice she made to become an international gay rights activist. Today, the name Matthew Shepard is synonymous with gay rights, but before his grisly murder in 1998, Matthew was simply her son. For the first time in book form, Judy Shepard speaks about her loss, sharing memories of Matthew, their life as a typical American family, and the pivotal event that changed everything. The book follows the Shepard family in the days after the crime, when their incapacitated son was on life support; how they learned of the response from strangers all across America who held candlelit vigils and memorial services for their child; and finally, how they struggled to navigate the legal system as Matthew's murderers were on trial. It not only captures the historical significance and civil rights issues, but it also chronicles one ordinary woman's struggle to cope with the unthinkable.--From publisher description." . "The mother of Matthew Shepard shares her story about her son's death and the choice she made to become an international gay rights activist. Today, the name Matthew Shepard is synonymous with gay rights, but before his grisly murder in 1998, Matthew was simply her son. For the first time in book form, Judy Shepard speaks about her loss, sharing memories of Matthew, their life as a typical American family, and the pivotal event that changed everything. The book follows the Shepard family in the days after the crime, when their incapacitated son was on life support; how they learned of the response from strangers all across America who held candlelit vigils and memorial services for their child; and finally, how they struggled to navigate the legal system as Matthew's murderers were on trial. It not only captures the historical significance and civil rights issues, but it also chronicles one ordinary woman's struggle to cope with the unthinkable.--From publisher description."@en . "The meaning of matthew my son's murder in laramie, and a world transformed"@en . . . . . . "The Meaning of Matthew : My Son's Murder in Laramie, and a World Transformed" . . "Biography" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . "\"A courageous, eloquent, and devoted mother...gives us all a greater understanding of Matthew and the larger meaning of his life.\" -Senator Edward M. Kennedy Today, Matthew Shepard is synonymous with gay rights, but until 1998, he was just Judy Shepard's son. In The Meaning of Matthew, Judy Shepard confides how she handled her crippling loss in the public eye, the vigils and protests held by strangers in her son's name, and ultimately how she and her husband gained the courage to help prosecutors convict her son's murderers. Heart-wrenchingly honest, The Meaning of Matthew is an unforgettable and inspiring story, chronicling one ordinary woman's struggle to cope with the unthinkable."@en . . . . . . . . . . . "The meaning of Matthew : my son's murder in Laramie, and a world transformed" . "The meaning of Matthew : my son's murder in Laramie, and a world transformed"@en . . . "Electronic books"@en . . . . "Describes the author's struggle to cope with the loss of her son, discussing first-hand the days immediately following his murder in 1998, including the incredible response from strangers, navigating the legal system, and why she became a gay rights activist."@en . "Describes the author's struggle to cope with the loss of her son, discussing first-hand the days immediately following his murder in 1998, including the incredible response from strangers, navigating the legal system, and why she became a gay rights activist." . . . . . "Gay rights United States." . . "Mother-son relationship." . . "Gay men Laramie (Wyo.)" . . "BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Personal Memoirs." . .