Take Action
Resources
Latest
State Advocacy
Donate
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. View our Privacy Policy for more information.
PreferencesDenyAccept
Privacy Preference Center
When you visit websites, they may store or retrieve data in your browser. This storage is often necessary for the basic functionality of the website. The storage may be used for marketing, analytics, and personalization of the site, such as storing your preferences. Privacy is important to us, so you have the option of disabling certain types of storage that may not be necessary for the basic functioning of the website. Blocking categories may impact your experience on the website.
Reject all cookiesAllow all cookies
Manage Consent Preferences by Category
Essential
Always Active
These items are required to enable basic website functionality.
Marketing
These items are used to deliver advertising that is more relevant to you and your interests. They may also be used to limit the number of times you see an advertisement and measure the effectiveness of advertising campaigns. Advertising networks usually place them with the website operator’s permission.
Personalization
These items allow the website to remember choices you make (such as your user name, language, or the region you are in) and provide enhanced, more personal features. For example, a website may provide you with local weather reports or traffic news by storing data about your current location.
Analytics
These items help the website operator understand how its website performs, how visitors interact with the site, and whether there may be technical issues. This storage type usually doesn’t collect information that identifies a visitor.
Confirm my preferences and close
Posts
Culture

Remembering Matthew Shepard

By
October 12, 2023
•
#
min read

25 years ago, we lost Matthew Shepard to a brutal and harrowing assault that shook our collective conscience. This beautiful young man, who fearlessly lived as an openly gay individual, had his life stolen by the poison of hatred. As I reflect upon his tragic legacy today, I'm haunted by a troubling question: How many more of our lovely souls will endure a similar fate?

The LGBTQ+ community deserves more than the progress we have witnessed thus far. Our transgender, non-binary, and gender expansive family members, especially our BIPOC community members, deserve to live authentically without fear. Our young people deserve an education free from censorship and erasure. We deserve lives filled with dignity, joy, and above all, safety. I long for a world where every corner feels like home, a place where we can be unapologetically ourselves.

Recently, I had the privilege of participating in a panel discussion for "The Laramie Project" at the Arvada Center and spoke with parents who voiced their concerns about the safety of their child. Their worries reminded me of Judy Shepard's loving words at a time of tremendous pain:

"Go home, give your kids a hug, and don't let a day go by without telling them that you love them."

These words resonate deeply in our hearts, and our community needs to hear these words every single day. We want you to know that we love you, we see you, and we are unwaveringly committed to fighting for you.

Share this post
Copy share link
Share on LinkedIn
Share on Twitter
Share on Facebook
Blog
Youth

Related posts

Read more to stay up-to-date on the latest Culture happenings at One Colorado.

View all
Culture

Trans Day of Visibility

Transgender Day of Visibility is a day to celebrate the lives and lived experiences of trans people!
Culture

2024 Black History Month

Celebrating LGBTQ+ Black activists, artists, and community leaders both past and present, plus Black-led and serving organizations and resources by and for the Black queer community.
Culture

Angelic Troublemakers

As we commemorate the dream envisioned by MLK, let’s remember those who stood beside him but were often forgotten - and let's celebrate the joy within our own queer community and stand united against injustice.

Stay in the know

Get updates on LGBTQ+ news, events, and ways to be involved!
303 E. 17th Ave, Suite 400, Denver, CO 80203
(303) 396-6170info@one-colorado.org
One Colorado
Our Focus
Take Action
Progress
Resources
Programs
Latest
Donate
Events
Action Fund
State Advocacy
Legislative Reports
Legislation Tracker
Endorsements
Donate
General
Team
Careers
Contact
Board Login
© 2023 One Colorado. All rights reserved.
Branding and website by Luum Studio
Privacy PolicyAccessibilityTerms of ServiceCookies Settings
Take Action
Resources
Latest
State Advocacy
Donate
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. View our Privacy Policy for more information.
PreferencesDenyAccept
Privacy Preference Center
When you visit websites, they may store or retrieve data in your browser. This storage is often necessary for the basic functionality of the website. The storage may be used for marketing, analytics, and personalization of the site, such as storing your preferences. Privacy is important to us, so you have the option of disabling certain types of storage that may not be necessary for the basic functioning of the website. Blocking categories may impact your experience on the website.
Reject all cookiesAllow all cookies
Manage Consent Preferences by Category
Essential
Always Active
These items are required to enable basic website functionality.
Marketing
These items are used to deliver advertising that is more relevant to you and your interests. They may also be used to limit the number of times you see an advertisement and measure the effectiveness of advertising campaigns. Advertising networks usually place them with the website operator’s permission.
Personalization
These items allow the website to remember choices you make (such as your user name, language, or the region you are in) and provide enhanced, more personal features. For example, a website may provide you with local weather reports or traffic news by storing data about your current location.
Analytics
These items help the website operator understand how its website performs, how visitors interact with the site, and whether there may be technical issues. This storage type usually doesn’t collect information that identifies a visitor.
Confirm my preferences and close
Posts
Culture

Remembering Matthew Shepard

By
October 12, 2023
•
#
min read

25 years ago, we lost Matthew Shepard to a brutal and harrowing assault that shook our collective conscience. This beautiful young man, who fearlessly lived as an openly gay individual, had his life stolen by the poison of hatred. As I reflect upon his tragic legacy today, I'm haunted by a troubling question: How many more of our lovely souls will endure a similar fate?

The LGBTQ+ community deserves more than the progress we have witnessed thus far. Our transgender, non-binary, and gender expansive family members, especially our BIPOC community members, deserve to live authentically without fear. Our young people deserve an education free from censorship and erasure. We deserve lives filled with dignity, joy, and above all, safety. I long for a world where every corner feels like home, a place where we can be unapologetically ourselves.

Recently, I had the privilege of participating in a panel discussion for "The Laramie Project" at the Arvada Center and spoke with parents who voiced their concerns about the safety of their child. Their worries reminded me of Judy Shepard's loving words at a time of tremendous pain:

"Go home, give your kids a hug, and don't let a day go by without telling them that you love them."

These words resonate deeply in our hearts, and our community needs to hear these words every single day. We want you to know that we love you, we see you, and we are unwaveringly committed to fighting for you.

Share this post
Copy share link
Share on LinkedIn
Share on Twitter
Share on Facebook
Blog
Youth

Related posts

Read more to stay up-to-date on the latest Culture happenings at One Colorado.

View all
Culture

Trans Day of Visibility

Transgender Day of Visibility is a day to celebrate the lives and lived experiences of trans people!
Culture

2024 Black History Month

Celebrating LGBTQ+ Black activists, artists, and community leaders both past and present, plus Black-led and serving organizations and resources by and for the Black queer community.
Culture

Angelic Troublemakers

As we commemorate the dream envisioned by MLK, let’s remember those who stood beside him but were often forgotten - and let's celebrate the joy within our own queer community and stand united against injustice.

Stay in the know

Get updates on LGBTQ+ news, events, and ways to be involved!
303 E. 17th Ave, Suite 400, Denver, CO 80203
(303) 396-6170info@one-colorado.org
One Colorado
Our Focus
Take Action
Progress
Resources
Programs
Latest
Donate
Events
Action Fund
State Advocacy
Legislative Reports
Legislation Tracker
Endorsements
Donate
General
Team
Careers
Contact
Board Login
© 2023 One Colorado. All rights reserved.
Branding and website by Luum Studio
Privacy PolicyAccessibilityTerms of ServiceCookies Settings