Thousands pour into National Cathedral as Matthew Shepard, a symbol of gay rights, is interred

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Acts of Faith

Thousands pour into National Cathedral as Matthew Shepard, a symbol of gay rights, is interred

By Michelle Boorstein and Samantha Schmidt
October 26 at 2:27 PM

Bells chimed softly, a flute slowly played “Morning Has Broken” and thousands filled the soaring nave of the Washington National Cathedral for the interment service of Matthew Shepard, the young man whose murder 20 years ago horrified the nation and became a milestone in the fight for gay rights. ... The poignant service was at once a funeral and a celebration of life, a moment of closure for Shepard’s loved ones and of remembrance for all those moved by the murder of Shepard, who was pistol-whipped and left for dead in a remote Wyoming prairie.

Presiding over the worship service at the second-largest cathedral in the country, in front of a crowd of about 2,025 people, was Bishop Gene Robinson, whose elevation in the early 2000s as the first openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church marked another huge — and controversial — milestone in the push for LGBT equality.

In his homily, Robinson shared an anecdote from the first police officer who arrived at the site of Shepard’s attack, a remote fence to which his battered body was lashed and had spent the cold night. When the officer arrived, he said, a deer was laying beside Shepard’s body. Upon her arrival, the animal looked straight into the officer’s eyes and ran away. ... “What she said was: ‘That was the good Lord, no doubt in my mind.' And there’s no doubt in my mind either. God has always loved Matt,” Robinson said.

Rippling through the Cathedral at times was the crackling energy of a political rally, with Robinson urging the crowd not to simply commemorate Shepard but to train their eyes on continued discrimination against sexual minorities, especially transgender people, who he called a “target" right now.
....

Michelle Boorstein is a religion reporter, covering the busy marketplace of American faith. Her career has included a decade of globe-trotting with the Associated Press, covering topics including terrorism in the Arizona desert, debates on male circumcision, Ugandan royalty, and how strapped doctors in Afghanistan decide who lives and who dies. Follow https://twitter.com/mboorstein

Samantha Schmidt is a reporter covering gender and family issues. Follow https://twitter.com/schmidtsam7

Also see:

Matthew Shepard Interred At DC’s National Cathedral

[Bfd]

1. Awww wow!

Robinson shared an anecdote from the first police officer who arrived at the site of Shepard’s attack, a remote fence to which his battered body was lashed and had spent the cold night.
When the officer arrived, he said, a deer was laying beside Shepard’s body.
Upon her arrival, the animal looked straight into the officer’s eyes and ran away. ...
“What she said was: ‘That was the good Lord, no doubt in my mind.'
And there’s no doubt in my mind either. God has always loved Matt,” Robinson said.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

2. First time I'd heard that story was over at JMG a few minutes earlier. NT

[Bfd]

3. This is the 1st I have heard of it. Wow. 2 days from now will be the 9 yr anniversary

of President Obama signing the hate crimes prevention act in Matthew's name .

Matthew’s parents, Judy and Dennis, lobbied hard for the Matthew Shepard & James Byrd Jr Hate Crimes Prevention Act. They knew it wouldn't bring their son back, but they wanted other LGBT people to have that protection and justice. May their example inspire us all in these times.
Matthew Shepard's ashes were laid to rest in the Washington National Cathedral today.
Two days later, we’ll mark the nine-year anniversary of President Obama signing a law that bears Matthew’s name.



Rest in peace Mr Sheppard, in your permanent home of highest honor. 🍃❣

[shenmue]

4. Love one another, as I have loved you