Why Laramie?

Tragedies such as murders, rapes, and assaults are among many evils that plague this country each day and it is imperative to inform the public in order to eradicate these crimes and save our daughters, sons, mothers, fathers, and all the loved ones that come to be the unfortunate victims. Matthew Shepard is an example of an individual who was not so lucky when it came to saving his precious life. He had only experienced 21 years of life when he was brutally slaughtered because of his sexuality. As stated by the Matthew Shepard Foundation, he “was tied to a split-rail fence where two men severely assaulted him. He was beaten and left to die in the cold of the night” overlooking the beautiful vistas of Laramie, Wyoming. This devastating crime presents a convoluted question as to what type of community would allow two of their own children to commit this heinous crime justifying it through their homophobic excuses. All Laramie and American residents were conflicted with this matter which led a well-known theater company to investigate the truth behind Matthew Shepard’s death. The theater’s visit to Laramie was the beginning of the whirlwind media that would take the small town by a storm leaving everyone wondering “why Laramie?”


The Tectonic Theater’s visit resulted in over 200 interviews that composed a Broadway play and a motion picture film, The Laramie Project. The intrigue of Matthew Shepard’s death was explained to be rooted in the fact that “it was a hate crime, hate crime, hate crime” according to the Tectonic Theater Project. In The Laramie Project, “live and let live,” is a repetitive phrase that while it seems simple, it is, however, the mentality of life for Laramie residents. Whether it is racism, sexism, or homophobia, Laramie inhabitants regard any type of issue or lifestyle with a “live and let live” attitude. Even though this particular attitude might be considered as possessing a positive connotation where people do no pass judgments and allow others to be themselves, however, that is not the case in Laramie, Wyoming. A loss of a life proved to be the price in order to shine light on a very infamous issue residing in Laramie. Matthew Shepard’s murder triggered changes in perceptions and attitudes of the American public while it revealed true colors of his fellow neighbors, friends, family, and even enemies. “Live and let live” now had a different meaning behind it, it represented fear and trepidation of homosexuals, or the unknown. Although the local community of Laramie revealed mixed sentiments regarding Matthew Shepard’s death, the widespread media attention concerning this tragedy raised awareness of the cruelty of hate crimes. Matthew Shepard lost his life in order to educate the public and Laramie but it makes one wonder, why Laramie? Why did Moises Kaufman and the Tectonic Theater Project choose Laramie of all places and depict its story? This particular hate crime received great attention for several reasons whether it’d be the tragic hate crime, appeal and mourning of an innocent boy, or Laramie itself. No answer is clear but what is certain is that Matthew’s murder attracted more media attention and nationwide sympathy than any other hate crime or brutality prior or following 1998.


With a mere population of nearly 27,000 people, Laramie does not present itself as a violent community but rather a place where its residents enjoy the small-town ways and simplicity of life. However, the whole town was taken aback when one of their own suffered an inhumane death committed by two other boys that were born, raised, and educated in Laramie. The combination of loss with the brutality and maliciousness with which it was perpetrated generates both sorrow and legitimate anger in Laramie and others all across the country. Crimes occur every day but hate crimes are particularly interesting because The Federal Bureau of Investigation defines hate crimes as “bias-motivated crimes where a perpetrator targets a victim because of his or her perceived membership of a certain group usually defined by racial group, religion, sexual orientation, and etc.” When a crime takes place targeting a certain group and it is motivated by hatred, the criminal act is more appealing to the public because of its repugnance allowing people to express their sorrow and disapproval. Although historically racial and religious biases have inspired most hate crimes, other social groups have increasingly become targets of bias-motivated intimidation. Matthew Shepard unfortunately died satisfying others’ hatred of homosexuals.


Although the maliciousness of this particular hate crime certainly attracted the media and public interest, it is also Matthew Shepard himself that intrigued everybody. As he was portrayed in The Laramie Project, whether he was supported or chastised for his lifestyle, he was nevertheless a regular, young, white male appealing to most of US, especially the Midwest. He is described by his father, Dennis Shepard, as “an optimistic and accepting young man who had a special gift of relating to almost everyone,” which is exactly why everyone could relate to Matthew even when he was made into a martyr following his tragic death. Because Matthew had a great passion for equality and always stood up for acceptance of people’s differences, people were able to sympathize with his death because he died for everything he believed in. Matthew had the courage to face death almost knowing the outcome of nationwide concern regarding his beliefs would be well worth dying.


Although Matthew himself appeals to Americans across the country, it is also Laramie’s qualities that enable us to relate and sympathize with this tragedy. As most of us have originated from a “Laramie” type of place or experienced a small-town lifestyle before, we can sense the pain and turmoil that forms a connection with Matthew Shepard and Laramie. In her essay “The Laramie Project: Western Pastoral,” Amy Tigner discusses Laramie’s mythic aura describing it as “a town out of a Western…where ordinary people raise their children.” Because Laramie consists of ordinary people, ordinary Americans are able to relate with an ordinary mother losing her child, or an ordinary girl losing her best friend. Since this particular hate crime occurred in a place where “hate is not a [Laramie] value”, as portrayed by The Laramie Project, the human reaction was exaggerated allowing this event to become a nationwide concern.


Matthew Shepard is no longer here but his spirit still roams among us as plays, movies, and celebrations are commemorated in his name. Even though his disturbing death attracted more attention than most hate crimes, it is because of this attention that we are able to celebrate him and his courageous values. Not only are we able to celebrate him but through Matthew Shepard and his sacrifice, we educate the public that homophobia or any other type of discrimination will not only be intolerable, but it will not be accepted.