October 19, 2005

Judy Shepard lecture postponed due to illness

by Tom Woolf

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Illness has forced the postponement of tonight's appearance by Judy Shepard at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

She was to appear on campus as part of Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Transgender History Month. The sponsors of the lecture, the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, Student Development Multicultural Programs and Services, the Saluki Rainbow Network and Student Center Special Programs and Center, anticipate rescheduling Shepard to speak on campus at a later date.

Shepard's son, Matthew, was the victim of a gay-hate murder seven years ago. She and her husband, Dennis, established the Matthew Shepard Foundation, which works for gay and lesbian equality, hate crime legislation and raising awareness using programs developed by the foundation.