Rubyfruit Jungle

Friday, September 23, 2005

Standing up...


I realized this morning that I shouldn't assume that everyone knows about Matt Shepard or The Laramie Project.

In 1998 Matthew Shepard a young university student in the town of Laramie Wyoming was beaten and tied to a fence and left to die. Because he was gay. Two men from the town were arrested and convicted of his murder. Matt's murder became a catalyst for debate around gay rights in the town of Laramie as well as throughout the states.

Several years later playwright Moises Kaufman and his theatre company visited Laramie and interviewed hundreds of people from the town and created The Laramie Project. Since its publication The Laramie Project has been produced in more than 1,500 high schools across BC and throughout the states. Not only does it provide a very important message it is also a wonderful play. It is funny and fleshed with fantastic playable characters. Moises Kaufman and his team have created a very good play.

I believe that The Laramie Project should be done over and over and over and over again until its message is heard. Until young queer people everywhere are not afraid to go to school in the morning and are not afraid to go out to the bar at night with their friends. Feeling safe in your community is a basic human right.

soooooooooooo, y'all know how I feel. Please if you feel so inclined drop a line or 500 to the surrey school board district and let them know that this is not acceptable and that Matthew Shepard and other victims of hate motivated crimes deserve more.
*************************************************************************************

Mr. Doug Strachan
strachan_d@sd36.bc.ca

Mr. Mike McKay
superintendent Surrey School Board District

604- 5967733 X 469

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