The Meaning of Matthew (2009)

The courage of Judy Shepard is almost unfathomable. It's been more than 10 years since the brutal murder of her son Matthew, a 21-year-old University of Wyoming student who was killed because of his sexual orientation. Now, honoring his story in a way only a mother could, Shepard shares all, from the life her son led (including their own sometimes-strained relationship) to his tragic death and the undeniable impact he had on the world. Shepard writes with unwavering honesty, devoting the right amount of time to each part of her story. The Meaning of Matthew is not always an easy read — the murder details are harrowing — but her message prevails: Tolerance and love must always triumph over hatred. A

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