As Professor Jacobson
details in his companion post, the Matthew Shepard narrative of anti-gay hatred culminating in murder may not be what it seems.
Research detailed in
The Book of Matt by Stephen Jimenez casts doubt on the anti-gay part of the narrative.
But by now, the apparently-false narrative has become deeply ingrained in American culture. Detailed below are just a few examples of how the narrative has taken hold.
Music:
Elton John
penned “American Triangle” as a tribute song to Shepard. Lyrics include, “God hates fags where we come from.”
Lady Gaga
performed a rendition of “Imagine,” referring to Shepard
Speaking of Lady Gaga, a Lady Gaga fan put out a video of himself
signing to “Born this way” in commemoration of Shepard:
Melissa Etheridge released a song called “Scarecrow” as tribute to Shepard. Lyrics include, “For love they crucified you,” and “This shepherd young and mild.”
Many other songs were penned for Shepard, including:
Peter Katz’s, “
The Fence (The Matthew Shepard Song)”
Peter, Paul, and Mary’s, “
Jesus on the Wire”
Protest the Hero’s, “
Fear and Loathing in Laramie”
Ron Sexsmith’s, “
God Loves Everyone”
Janis Ian’s, “
Matthew”
Politics:
Shortly after the attack against Shepard in 1998, former President Clinton,
asked the nation to join him in praying for Shepard. In the statement, he said he was "deeply grieved" by the crime, and used it as a rallying point for legislation.
By video, President Obama
promoted the Matthew Shepard Foundation and welcomed guests to a Matthew Shepard gala dinner. In the video, Obama recounts how he met with Matthew’s mother in the Oval Office, and promised her he would “honor Matthew’s legacy by ensuring that the full might of the law comes down on those who would attack somebody” because of their sexual identity.
