Matthew Shepard Foundation (the official site of the Shepard family)

In addition, The LaGuardia Library has compiled a list of of books related to the themes of intolerance, hate crimes, homosexuality, and difference. You can access that list at http://www.lagcc.cuny.edu/library/commonreading/laramie/default.htm.

Other Film Resources

The LaGuardia Library has listed on this website a number of films that deal with issues of hate, intolerance, and GLBT issues. Other commercial films on the same subject are listed below (in no particular order, but with my comments).

TO WONG FOO, THANKS FOR EVERYTHING! JULIE NEWMAN -- this film starring Wesley Snipes, Patrick Swayze, and John Leguizamo follows the adventures of 3 drag queens as they travel cross country to enter a drag contest.

PRIVATES ON PARADE – this is a British film, starring John Cleese. It centers around an all male theatrical revue which was assigned to entertain the troops during World War II.

LOVE AND DEATH ON LONG ISLAND – a better than average film with John Hurt and Jason Priestley. You will recognize Death in Venice in the plot.

BILLY’S HOLYWOOD SCREEN KISS – a film most notable for the casting of Sean Hayes of TV’s Will and Grace. The film is quite charming and doesn’t pander to stereotypes as most of the other films mentioned do.

PRIEST – Linus Roache and Tom Wilkinson in a film about a young priest who learns to deal with his homosexuality.

THE CLOSET – a very funny French film that revolves around a young man pretending to be gay in order to advance at work.

THE BOYS IN THE BAND – the classic “gays hating being gay” film based on the self-loathing play. Having said that, I think the film offers some interesting insights into gay relationships, long before AIDS.

THE ADVENTURES OF PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT -- one of the best “gay” films of all times. It is part road trip, part buddy film, part coming of age story.

THE BIRDCAGE – Mike Nichols versions of La Cage aux Folles. It is fun, but full of easy stereotypes.

ORDINARY SINNER – this film was directed by our own John Henry Davis and it offers some honest insights into the church and homosexuality.

PHILADELPHIA – Tom Hank’s first Oscar. A very moving, but unrealistic, film. Hank’s character’s family are all amazingly supportive, which doesn’t ring true in America.

HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH – a rock musical about a not quite successful transgender transformation.

IN AND OUT – A slight, but fun film, based on Tom Hank’s first Oscar acceptance speech. Kevin Kline is excellent and his kiss with Tom Selleck is worth the wait. Parts of the film are laughably stereotypical and the treatment of women is mean spirited, but this was one of the first successful “gay” commercial films.

Other Websites of Interest

http://www.walkproud.org/faqs.asp THis is a general info site about hate crimes against all segments of the population.

http://www.wiredstrategies.com/shepardx.html This is a broad listing of related hate crime stories.

http://www.hatecrime.org/subpages/hitler/hitler.html This site compares Nazi propaganda with contemporary antigay rhetoric.

http://www.villagevoice.com/print/issues/0140/signorile.php This is an article about homosexuality under the Taliban.

http://www.terrorismanswers.com/policy/hatecrimes_print.html This site has information and statistics about hate crimes post 9/11 on Arab Americans and Muslims.

http://www.apa.org/pubinfo/hate/ This is a very inclusive site with an article titled, "Hate Crimes Today: An Age-Old Foe in Modern Dress.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/assault/etc/quiz.html This site allows you to take an online quiz to assess your homophobia.

http://www.state.../?pa=story&sa=showStory Info&id=353058&columns=fals

http://www.cnn.com/US/9909/23/hate.crimes.gays/ This is part of a CNN report on the problems that face gay teens.