| MATTHEW SHEPERD and Hate Crimes Legislation |
Dear Governor Geringer,
My name is Linda A. Simpson. I am a former Wyoming resident and a retired police officer from the City of Rock
Springs Police Department. I now reside in Redmond, Washington. Having spent the majority of my adult life in
Wyoming I was appalled at the report of the recent death of Matthew Sheperd in Laramie. I am further disturbed
about comments reported by you, through the media, that Wyoming is not going to pursue Hate Crimes legislation. I
believe such legislation is necessary. Matthew Sheperd, regardless of his race, color, creed, gender, sexual
orientation, age, lifestyle, etc. did not deserve to die. Matthew's parents did not deserve to lose a child they loved and
nurtured for too short a lifetime.
I have always beleived that Wyoming lived up to it's image as the Equality State. A state which held ideals of equality
since initial statehood, long before such concepts of equality were popular. A concept embraced by Wyoming in the last
century, where the fight for achievement in many states will be pursued into the next centruy.
Mr. Geringer I ask that you uphold Wyoming as a model for equality and denounce actions of Hate Groups and
prejudiced individuals. Please pass legislation against Hate Crimes and send a strong message to Hate Groups that
violence against minorities, ignorance and prejudice will not be tolerated in the Equality State.
I also ask that you show some compassion for the family of Matthew Sheperd and attempt to prevent the
demonstration planned by Reverend Fred Phelps. Such a demonstration I find to be the ultimate repulsive act of a
coward spewing hate in the name of religion. Please don't allow Wyoming to sanction such acts. Stand up and defend
the people you govern, you protect.
It was always my belief that the people of Wyoming may not approve of an individuals lifestyle but, they defend the
right of the individual to live whatever lifestyle they chose in a free and equal society.
Sincerely,
Linda A. Simpson
My name is Linda A. Simpson. I am a former Wyoming resident and a retired police officer from the City of Rock
Springs Police Department. I now reside in Redmond, Washington. Having spent the majority of my adult life in
Wyoming I was appalled at the report of the recent death of Matthew Sheperd in Laramie. I am further disturbed
about comments reported by you, through the media, that Wyoming is not going to pursue Hate Crimes legislation. I
believe such legislation is necessary. Matthew Sheperd, regardless of his race, color, creed, gender, sexual
orientation, age, lifestyle, etc. did not deserve to die. Matthew's parents did not deserve to lose a child they loved and
nurtured for too short a lifetime.
I have always beleived that Wyoming lived up to it's image as the Equality State. A state which held ideals of equality
since initial statehood, long before such concepts of equality were popular. A concept embraced by Wyoming in the last
century, where the fight for achievement in many states will be pursued into the next centruy.
Mr. Geringer I ask that you uphold Wyoming as a model for equality and denounce actions of Hate Groups and
prejudiced individuals. Please pass legislation against Hate Crimes and send a strong message to Hate Groups that
violence against minorities, ignorance and prejudice will not be tolerated in the Equality State.
I also ask that you show some compassion for the family of Matthew Sheperd and attempt to prevent the
demonstration planned by Reverend Fred Phelps. Such a demonstration I find to be the ultimate repulsive act of a
coward spewing hate in the name of religion. Please don't allow Wyoming to sanction such acts. Stand up and defend
the people you govern, you protect.
It was always my belief that the people of Wyoming may not approve of an individuals lifestyle but, they defend the
right of the individual to live whatever lifestyle they chose in a free and equal society.
Sincerely,
Linda A. Simpson
| "A religion that requires persecution to sustain it is of the devils propagation." - Hosea Ballou |
The following is the text of a
letter I wrote to Wyoming
Governor Geringer in
October 1998. The letter was
later reprinted in a number of
Wyoming newspapers as well
as Transgender Tapestry
Magazine.
letter I wrote to Wyoming
Governor Geringer in
October 1998. The letter was
later reprinted in a number of
Wyoming newspapers as well
as Transgender Tapestry
Magazine.
