Crowdfunding For Matthew Shepard Memorial Plaque Passes Its Goal

A crowdfunding campaign to install a memorial plaque for Matthew Shepard has surpassed its goal…
 
More than $30,000 has been fundraised so far to install a memorial plaque near to where Matthew Shepard was laid to rest in Washington DC. Shepard’s remains were interred at the Washington National Cathedral on October 26, 20 years after his death.
 
A GoFundMe page was set up on November 12 to crowdfund $30,000 for the Matthew Shepard bronze plaque to be installed in the chapel of St. Joseph of Arimathea at Washington National Cathedral. Around 200 people are interred in the Cathedral, including former US president Woodrow Wilson and deaf-blind activist Helen Keller.
 
It took over two decades to find a secure resting place for Shepard, whose parents feared his grave would be vandalized.
 
“We’ve given much thought to Matt’s final resting place, and we found the Washington National Cathedral is an ideal choice, as Matt loved the Episcopal church and felt welcomed by his church in Wyoming,” said Judy Shepard. “For the past 20 years, we have shared Matt’s story with the world. It’s reassuring to know he now will rest in a sacred spot where folks can come to reflect on creating a safer, kinder world.”
 
The October 26 remembrance service was led by the retired reverend Gene Robinson, the first openly gay priest to become a bishop in the Episcopal Church. Robinson carried an urn containing Shepard’s ashes down the aisle in a candlelit procession, followed by Shepard’s parents Judy and Dennis.
 
During the ceremony, Robinson said he wanted to tell Shepard three things: “Gently rest in this place. You are safe now. Oh yeah, and Matt, welcome home. Amen.”
 
The GoFundMe had raised 31,638 at the time of publication.
 
RELATED:
– Nov/Dec 2018 Cover Story: Remembering Matthew Shepard