(12/1/76-11/12/98)
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First, Matthew. He was a gentle and kind young man according to his family and many friends. I do not doubt that at all. I am quite sure he could have been a great friend to many of us, had we been given the chance to know him. But, unfortunately for us, Matthew died Monday, October 12, 1998, from injuries he sustained in a brutal attack which needlessly took place on a lonely Wyoming backroad.
It had been reported that Matthew was verbally abused and physically assaulted several times previously this year (no doubt this has been behavior he has had to endure his entire life- as many of us do). Motives based on his sexuality. Sadly, Matthew is, or should I say was, one of many, who are assaulted in this manner on a daily basis throughout this great country! An even more scary fact is that many people like Matthew, are being ripped from our lives each and every year! Their "crime" you ask... one of simply being Gay.
I mention this to you, because a few weeks back I received my first ever piece of "hate mail." It made me very upset. And now, in light of Matthew Shepard's shortened life, I am even more concerned! What had I done? What had Matthew done? What do any of us do to deserve this kind of hatred? The truth is, we are guilty of doing nothing, aside from trying to simply be ourselves!
I'd like to share that letter with you all today in hopes that maybe some of you gracious people who have supported me and my pages with your many kind words, through tons of E-Mails, would turn this "negative" into a "POSITIVE" for us all. Much as we are trying to turn Matthew's death into a sign of hope for our future as a human race, and not a sign of impending doom for our society resulting from unfounded hatred and bigotry!
Date: 9/19/98 12:03:19 AM Eastern Daylight Time From: JANDJUNLIMITED@prodigy.net (JASON W SCOTT) Reply-to:JANDJUNLIMITED@prodigy.net To: dollyp001@AOL.com "I LIKED YOUR DOLLY SITE, BUT I ONLY FIGURED IT PROPER FOR AN ALABAMA BOY TO TELL YOU THAT COUNTRY MUSIC AINT FOR QUEERS AND FAGS. YALL STAY AWAY FROM MY MUSIC AND I WONT HAVE TO KICK YOUR GAY ASS. IF I AM WRONG ABOUT THIS I DO APOLOGIZE." Signed.. A CONCERNED COUNTRY BOY. |
| If you would like to respond to Jason's Message, then feel free to do so... | "I SAY NO TO THE HATE" |
On April 02, 2000, I received my second letter of HATE. Although it was disguised as one of those "hate the sin, love the sinner," type of deals. Below, you will find Jennifer's note. I thought I would share it with you all and if you wished, you could send Jennifer your thoughts about the matter. Thankyou!
Date: 4/2/00 2:01:46 PM Eastern Daylight Time From: Jenbpangel@aol.com (Jennifer) Reply-to:Jenbpangel@aol.com To: DollyP001@aol.com I ran across this website while doing research over gays and lesbians. I just wanted to let you know, though I don't approve of leading a life like that, I also don't believe in hating and hurting people because they chose to live a different lifestyle. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that there are some people who don't like the gay and lesbian lifestyle, but at the same time would never hate or hurt them.
Jennifer |
| If you would like to respond to Jennifer's Message, then feel free to do so... | "I SAY NO TO THE HATE" |
In a July 1997 interview with America's Largest selling Gay & Lesbian Magazine, Dolly Parton chatted with "Out's" Frank DeCaro, and shed some light on her feelings for gay people. Excerpts from the article are below:
Dolly Parton's "style" started when she was a wild young gal in East Tennessee. She says a special thanks goes out to the local tramp for inspiring that image! Dolly says, "I used to fight with my daddy and my mama about the stuff I wore, I wasn't doing it to be trashy. I was doing it 'cause I didn't feel ordinary. It was almost like being gay. It's a good thing I was born a woman, 'cause I'da damn sure been a drag queen if I hadn't. I can't get flamboyant enough!"
DeCaro stated that, "some of Parton's Southern 'business people' advised her not to do RuPaul's VH1 Show! But Dolly has no fear of potential repercussions from her conservative fans." "They could probably pitch a fit, but what am I supposed to do? This is what I do for a living," says Dolly. "Gay people are fans of mine. It's two different worlds, and I live in both and I love them both, and I understand and accept both."
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GAY??? |
You can also find Dolly referencing these topics in her 1994 autobiography, "DOLLY, MY LIFE AND OTHER UNFINISHED BUSINESS". Page 309 of said book starts a section Dolly calls simply "Questions and Answers." Two of them are:
How do you feel about gay rights and gay people?
"Well, I believe in 'human rights' and the Scripture... Judge not, lest ye be judged. I have many gay friends who I love dearly. I have also lost some very special friends to AIDS. I believe that being gay is something you are, not something you do."
What do you think of female impersonators, transvestites, and people who have sex-change operations?
"Well, I've always said that if I hadn't been a woman, I would have been a drag queen. I have seen men impersonate me, and I consider it flattering. I especially like it on Halloween. Then I can go anywhere in Hollywood and never be noticed. All I know about sex-change operations I've learned from my good friend Jason, who used to be my good friend Suzie."
Most recently, Dolly expressed some thoughts on her Gay fans in"The New York Times." Here is a quote from the article.
"People feel that I'm not to be who I am, therefore they can be comfortable being who they are in my presence. I've always accepted people as they are and I think the oddwads of the world kind of know that. I have a big gay following and I've always had a huge drag-queen following, so I think a lot of it is just the personality of being so accepting of everybody else."
These are only a few of the many references that Dolly has made with regards to the subject of homosexuality. She is always very warm and genuine to those of us who are "different" in whatever way. Dolly is truly a real Role Model for people everywhere. That is why she is loved by so many of us on both sides of the spectrum.
Dolly, you are an inspiration to us all!
 Judy and Dennis Shepard (Matthew's Parents) |
May God help us all when the time actually comes that regard for human life is as it has been demonstrated by those who protested during this most solemn of times. Every life is valued and worthy of some kind of common consideration. Let's all hope and pray that the Shepard Family can find peace, comfort, and love surrounding them during this tragic time of loss. May we all find a lasting peace and understanding of one another. "Judge not, lest ye be judged.." "If it's to be, it starts with me." |
 Matthew Wayne Shepard (12/1/76-11/12/98) |
With Love, your friend, Timmy. |
"Timmy, I support your efforts..." |
| ~RETURN TO TIMMY'S MAIN DOLLY PAGE~ |
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