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I didn't know Matthew Shepard but I think about him often.
On many levels it makes no sense, but I've always felt connected.
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I've often thought "why wasn't it me?"
If you just think about it on a surface level, I was Matthew.
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Matthew was gay, drinking beer at a straight bar in his
college town. Mathew was naive and trusting. He was in search
of friendship and place of acceptance.
Simply because of who he was, Matthew was beaten,
tied to a fence and left for dead.
Replace Laramie, Wyoming, with Ames, Iowa.
Replace Matthew Shepard with Steve Petersen.
It's not as big of a leap as you might want to think.
Skate to Erase Hate
To celebrate my birthday and support The Matthew Shepard Foundation my family and I are hosting an event.
WHEN: June 9, 2018 from 5:00- 7:00
WHERE: Skate North Incrediroll
5621 Meredith Dr, Des Moines, IA 50310
You don't skate or don't want to skate? You're not alone.
Just stop by to say hello to my family, have some birthday cake, learn about the Matthew Shepard Foundation and make some memories in the photo booth.
If you can't make it but want to be a part of it, you can donate on the "buy tickets" page. You can also purchase an event t-shirt on the next page.
To purchase tickets or donate.
Tickets are $10 and include skate rental.
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