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Congresswoman Angie Craig Hosts Parents of Matthew Shepard and LGBT Equality Caucus to Champion Acceptance and Prevent Hate Crimes

February 13, 2020

Today, U.S. Rep Angie Craig convened her Congressional Colleagues in the LGBT Equality Caucus for a meeting with Judy Shepard, President of the Matthew Shepard Foundation.

"I remain heartbroken by the anti-gay hate crime that led to Matthew's death, and I thank Judy for her tireless work to make us all safer with the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act," said Rep. Angie Craig. "However, there is far more work to do to end violence against vulnerable populations such as LGBT youth and especially transgender people of color. Today, I reiterate my commitment to Judy and to all Minnesotans that I will work tirelessly to make sure our communities are welcoming of everyone, regardless of where we live, what we look like or who we love."

"More than two decades after a horrific hate crime stole the life of Matthew Shepard, his parents, Judy and Dennis Shepard, continue to turn their grief into courageous, dissatisfied action to advance the cause of equality for all," said Speaker Nancy Pelosi. "Congresswoman Angie Craig and the LGBT Equality Caucus are to be commended for convening this important conversation with the Shepards to shine a light on the continued threat that violence and discrimination pose to countless LGBTQ Americans, particularly transgender women of color. Guided by their leadership, and the vision and values of our entire Caucus, the Democratic House has acted boldly to pass the Equality Act and guarantee every American's right to live with dignity and equality, no matter who you are or whom you love."

Rep. Craig is a Co-Chair of the House LGBT Equality Caucus and a lead cosponsor of the Equality Act, which passed out of the House last year. Additionally, she has also cosponsored the Every Child Deserves a Family Act and spoke at a briefing hosted by Rep. John Lewis and the Family Equality Council on the importance of passing this bill. She is also a champion of several pieces of legislation to protect LGBTQ youth from harassment and discrimination.

About the Matthew Shepard Foundation: The Matthew Shepard Foundation's longstanding mission is to erase hate by replacing it with understanding, compassion and acceptance. Through local, regional and national outreach, the foundation empowers individuals to find their voice to create change and challenge communities to identify and address hate that lives within their schools, neighborhoods and homes.