Fifteen years ago today, on October 7, 1998, Aaron Kreifels found Matthew Shepard clinging to life in a field outside Laramie, Wyoming. Unfortunately, Shepard lost that battle five days later. What resulted was a rallying cry for the LGBT equality movement. It’s a movement that has indeed seen tremendous progress. 2009: The Shepard-Byrd hate crimes law passes. 2010: Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is repealed. 2011: The military begins to implement a new culture of inclusion. 2012: The Supreme Court accepts two marriage cases. 2013: DOMA and Prop 8 rulings significantly advance marriage equality. But it’s also a movement that has more to achieve. So not only do we remember Matthew Shepard this week, but we pledge anew to honor his unfilled potential and how his silenced voice – how all those silenced by hate – calls upon us to Imagine.

Think. Share. Act.