The Gay Killing That Changed American Law

Published: Oct. 6, 2017, 8 a.m.

The murder of gay student Matthew Shepard in October 1998 shocked America. After a decade of campaigning, his mother, Judy Shepard, convinced lawmakers to change hate crime legislation, outlawing attacks based on gender, disability, gender identity, or sexual orientation. Claire Bowes has been speaking to Judy Shepard. Photo: Matthew, with his parents, Judy and Dennis, on holiday at Yellowstone National Park. (Courtesy of the Matthew Shepard Foundation)