The Laramie Project: Reflection Pt 2

In The Laramie Project: Act 3. A group of anti-gay protesters show up at Matthew Shepard's funeral.They say that gays should not deserve 'special rights'. (Possibly referring to the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Hate crime prevention Act of 2009). Oct 1998 Matthew Shepard's Funeral Video - many of the protesters proclaim hate against gays and their 'filthy lifestyle'. (2:05-2:30) This form of hate is also present in The Laramie Project  when reverend Fred Phelps speaks at the funeral "But this murder is different because the f*gs are bringing us out here trying to make Matthew Shepard into a poster boy for the gay lifestyle". / "If God doesn't hate f*gs why does he put them in hell?"  Act 3 (pg 77 - 80). Then in response to the hate, there have been speeches and some prevention acts put into place (James Byrd / Matthew Shepard hate crime prevention acts - which Obama speaks about. With all of the commotion at Matthew Shepard's funeral, and the case in general, it implores the question: just how far do we need to / and are we willing to protect people against all different types of hate?

http://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/video/president-obama-commemorates-enactment-hate-crimes-prevention-act

http://abcnews.go.com/Archives/video/abc-archives-ntba2252a-14742533

Reflection - The Laramie Project (20/20 special report)

In the aftermath of the events in Laramie, Wyoming - and throughout the time or possibly after the play The Laramie Project came into focus, attention was brought to the town and the murder that happened there. During the 20/20 special about Laramie, the reporters went to go talk to Russell and Aaron - the two who beat up and killed Matthew Shepard. This brought into light, some new information that could bring an new perspective on the case of Matthew's death. There are many other factors that were not added in / or things that people did not go into very much detail about in the play. For example: both Aaron and Russell had a rough upbringing - and Aaron got addicted to drugs. There is also the fact that Matt was also involved in drugs - after a traumatic experience of being gang raped while on a school trip to Morocco.  He found out that he had HIV afterwards. This new information also plays apart into the background of Matthew's murder. While talking to both Aaron and Russel - Aaron testified to saying that he was on drugs (meth) most of the week prior to killing Matt. Mckinney claims that Matthew sought they out for drugs and a ride home. Aaron, knowing that Matt had money - reportedly decided to rob him, and started to beat him when they arrived near the fence. Once Matthew handed his wallet to Mckinney, he only found $30 inside. (my theory from this perspective is that once Aaron found only a small sum of money off of Matthew he became enraged, already fueled by the meth, and its possible he was looking for more money to buy drugs and was disappointed when he didn't get any).  Also Henderson while talking to the reporter claims that he did tie Matthew to the fence, but he did not harm him. Later on in the night both Aaron and Russell planned to rob / break into Shepards house, but found two other guys and ended up getting into a fight with both of them. I think that there is more to the case, that might have been overlooked, like the drugs and money aspect, and the fact that in most reports most people skip over the other details of Matthew's life like the school trip, and the drugs as well.

The Laramie Project analysis Act 1

The Laramie Project: (Act 1) - analysis

Throughout Act 1 of The Laramie Project while the residents are being interviewed about Matthew Shepard's death, each and every one person has their own opinion on the matter, on the topic of his death, and about being gay in Laramie (so far that I have seen/noticed). For example some of the residents might talk about being open about gay people living in Laramie while at the same time criticizing how or what they think being gay is, or how it should be seen, or how it is viewed by others in Laramie.  For example of further analysis Doc O' Conner - a limousine driver states in the play "They're not particularly, ah, the whattayou call them, the queens, the gay people, queens, you know runaround f*****-type people. No, they're the ones that throw bails of hay, jump on horses, brand 'em and kick ass, you see what I'm saying?" (Doc O' Conner / Kaufman, The Laramie Project, pg 21 Act 1). While this does not represent the overall opinion of Laramie, it hows one opinion made by a resident during the time of the interviews about the death of Matthew Shepard. This quote may show how some people might think separately about certain 'types' of gay people, and what some people might expect them to act like, or to be like.   This quote could be interpreted on how on one hand not all stereotypes of gay people are true, and at the same time it could be seen as bashing on another certain group of gays - who might participate in more events that are considered 'feminine', or not as masculine - like throwing bails of hay - as the quote suggests. For another example Matt Galloway -the bartender at fireside / student at the university of Wyoming in the play says "They say he's gay, he's gonna come on to people like that" (Matt Galloway / Kaufman, The Laramie Project, pg 31 Act 1).This might suggest the expectations some people might uphold gay people to. How they might believe that gay people act a certain way, or are supposed to act a certain way. The quote may imply how some people's opinions are that they expected Matthew to 'come on' to two guys because he was gay. I have noticed while during the course of the first act of The Laramie Project play there are many viewpoint differing from this, or some which might agree, it might make the reader question what does it mean for something to be considered 'feminine' or 'masculine' - and what does being gay have to do within the boundaries of those standards.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfPJ7exstiU




Matthew Shepard