To the Editor:

Editor’s Note: This letter contains references to sexual violence.

A sad anniversary is upon us.

For anyone who is younger than Gen X, there is probably actually no reason for you to continue reading, unless perhaps for a little historical context, because fortunately, you already get it.

On October 6, 1998, Matthew Wayne Shepherd, then a 21 year-old University of Wyoming Student, was beaten, tortured, and left to die near Laramie, WY. He died at hospital six days later on October 12, 1998. Matthew was robbed, pistol whipped, and beaten so badly that his face was “completely covered in blood, except for where it had partially cleansed by his tears”. Matthew was left tied to a fence, and remained so, in a coma, for 18 hours, until he was discovered by a passing cyclist. Two suspects in the case were eventually charged and convicted of his murder.

Testimony brought out at trial, and available in transcripts for any to read, indicated that the suspects specifically targeted Matthew “because he was gay” or “because they at least thought that he was gay”.

I have read some suggestions indicating that for anyone going through confusion or lack of understanding about their sexuality, that their exclusive educators/enforcers are the parents, and that there is no place for churches, or any other resources…and that “therapy” instead is what may be required.

In Garrard Conley’s 2016 Memoir, “Boy Erased”, the author details his experience of being a 19 year- old college student, conflicted about his sexuality, when he was raped by his college dorm mate and then subsequently outed as gay to his parents, by this same person who raped him. The only son of a Baptist Minister, Mr. Conley was issued an ultimatum by his father to either enter the ‘Love In Action – Ex-Gay” program, or be disowned by his parents, both literally and financially. Mr. Conley details his experience, as well as that of his other “classmates” in this un-vetted, unlicensed, program, where participants were literally beaten with Bibles.

In an afterword, an update in the film version of Mr. Conley’s Memoir, to the “Love In Action – Ex Gay” program is provided, in which we are informed that the male “Headmaster” of this now dissolved former Conversion Therapy program, is now happily living in Texas. With his husband.

Both Matthew Shepherd and Garrard Conley were from my generation. Mr. Conley is only a few years younger than myself, and I was in grad school while Matthew Shepherd had begun his undergrad studies.

While commemorating the tragic, unnecessary, and disgusting anniversary of the brutal, hateful, murder of Matthew Shepherd, I would also like to take this opportunity to apologize to the generations younger than mine, for those in my generation, and older, whom cannot seem to stop themselves from telling you just how much that you have no right to be who you are.

Leland Farnsworth
Massena