Matthew Shepard Candlelight Vigil TV Coverage (Nov 1998 - Houston)
>> Oct 24, 2009
It was November 11, 1998 and the news of Matthew Shepard's haneous death just rocked the world. Candlelight vigils were being held in cities all across the globe and Houston was on the list.
I was 22 years old when my phone rang that fateful day. Steve Baker, producer of TV Montrose, called and asked me to cover the candlelight vigil in a park near downtown Houston. Without any previous news reporting experience and no prior knowledge of Matthew's crime, I hopped in my car and headed down to the park.
It was raining that evening, but it didn't deter hundreds of supporters from gathering to pay respects to a fallen gay brother.
City Councilwoman Anise Parker spoke about hatred, acceptance and the need for increased protection for LGBT citizens. Little did we know, 11 years later Congress would pass the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act on Thursday, October 22, 2009.
This video is an inside look at the candlelight vigil held for Matthew. Although a young, unsuspecting college student had to endure such horrible beatings, torture and ultimate death, millions of LGBT persons have Matthew Shepard to thank for making federal hate crimes protection for LGBT citizens a reality in 2009.
I was 22 years old when my phone rang that fateful day. Steve Baker, producer of TV Montrose, called and asked me to cover the candlelight vigil in a park near downtown Houston. Without any previous news reporting experience and no prior knowledge of Matthew's crime, I hopped in my car and headed down to the park.
It was raining that evening, but it didn't deter hundreds of supporters from gathering to pay respects to a fallen gay brother.
City Councilwoman Anise Parker spoke about hatred, acceptance and the need for increased protection for LGBT citizens. Little did we know, 11 years later Congress would pass the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act on Thursday, October 22, 2009.
This video is an inside look at the candlelight vigil held for Matthew. Although a young, unsuspecting college student had to endure such horrible beatings, torture and ultimate death, millions of LGBT persons have Matthew Shepard to thank for making federal hate crimes protection for LGBT citizens a reality in 2009.
