In Wyoming, the Laramie City Council approved a local anti-discrimination ordinance—17 years after gay student Matthew Shepard's death took place in the same town, The Chicago Tribune noted.
The council voted seven to two in favor of the measure that bans discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in housing, employment and access to public facilities such as restaurants. Wyoming Equality Executive Director Jeran Artery said, "What a day for Wyoming—and what a day for the city that became synonymous with Matthew Shepard's murder—to now step up and do this right thing."
Shepard's death was considered a watershed in the gay-rights movement, resulting in a national hate-crimes measure.
In a statement to Windy City Times, Matthew Shepard Foundation Executive Director Jason Marsden said, "The people of Laramie deserve congratulations for their defiance of hatred and their embrace of diversity in the wake of tragedy and under the world's scrutiny.
"This is a community that looked inward and found that it values all of its people regardless of difference. What happened in 1998 could have happened anywhere. What's happened since then is what Laramie is all about. We applaud the city for showing Wyoming and the world what they're made of."
On a personal note, Marsden added, "I can add that Matt was a friend of mine and I am truly touched by the council's vote. It is very much in line with Matt's own interest in equal rights and, particularly, his belief in grassroots activism, of which this effort certainly was a tremendous example."
—Andrew Davis
