06-18
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Lisa Ramsey 216-397-4288
February 15, 2006
www.jcu.edu

Judy Shepard Comes To John Carroll
as a Part of “Healing the Hurt” Week

In 1998, Judy Shepard Lost Her Son to Anti-Gay Hate

These Events are Free and Open to the Public

CLEVELAND, OH -- The Office of Student Activities and the Allies student organization at John Carroll University are proud to present Ms. Judy Shepard on Thursday, February 23 at 8 p.m. in Kulas Auditorium as a part of “Healing the Hurt. Hate Hurts: Facilitating Change/Fostering Healing” week at John Carroll.

In October 1998, Judy and Dennis Shepard lost their 21 year-old son to a murder motivated by anti-gay hate. Their ordeal moved thousands of people around the world to attend vigils and rallies in Matthew’s honor. Determined to prevent their son’s fate from befalling others, Judy and Dennis established the Matthew Shepard Foundation. The programs developed by the Foundation are used to carry on Matthew’s legacy by embracing the just causes he championed – which include working for gay and lesbian equality, hate crimes legislation, and raising awareness. Judy is determined to use her grief over her son’s death to make a difference.

On May 11, 1999, Judy testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee in support of the Hate Crimes Prevention Act. She appeared in two Human Rights Campaign public service television spots aimed at curbing anti-gay violence and promoting a greater understanding of gay issues. Judy is now speaking to audiences nationwide about what they can do to make their schools and communities safer for everyone, regardless of their race, sex, religion, or sexual orientation.

The “Healing the Hurt” week begins Monday, February 20, with an Anti-Violence Awareness program on the John Carroll campus from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. in the Schott Atrium. The question, “Why Should I Care About Hate Crimes?” is the theme of the day designed to set the stage for the week.

On Tuesday, February 21, a discussion panel will take place at 7 p.m. in the LSC Conference Room. The topic for the evening will be “Civil Rights or Special Rights?” which will be discussed by representatives from the: ACLU, Alliance Defense Fund, and Human Rights Campaign & ProFamily Network. A moderator will facilitate the panel discussion to include questions from the audience.

On Wednesday, February 22, the film The Laramie Project, a movie based on Matthew Shepard’s life and tragic death will be shown on campus in the LSC Conference Room at 7 p.m. An optional facilitated discussion will take place at the conclusion of the film.

The week concludes on Friday, February 24, with Proclamation Day! from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. in the Schott Atrium. During this event, students, faculty, and staff will have an opportunity to stand up for what they believe and make a pledge to help “Heal the Hurt” at John Carroll University.

The sponsors of “Heal the Hurt” week at John Carroll include: the Student Union Programming Board, the Office of Multicultural Affairs, the Division of Student Affairs, the Office of Developmental Programming, the Program in Applied Ethics and the Student Union. All events during this week are free and open to the public. For more information please contact Lisa Ramsey at 216-397-4288 or lramsey@jcu.edu or Rhiannon Lathy at rlathy07@jcu.edu.

John Carroll University, located in Cleveland, Ohio, is a liberal arts university grounded in the Jesuit, Catholic tradition. The university has some 3,350 plus undergraduates and just over 750 graduate students. The U.S. News & World Report’s 2006 annual college guide ranks John Carroll University among the top 10 master’s-degree granting universities in the Midwest and first in average graduation rate. Originally founded as St. Ignatius College in 1886, the university was renamed in 1923 to honor America’s first Catholic bishop, John Carroll of Maryland. John Carroll is one of 28 Jesuit colleges and universities located in the United States.

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