Although some media called Webster's killing the first gay-related murder in Canadian history, much like the Matthew Shepard incident in the United States it was merely the first to attract widespread media attention.
In the early 1990s Achy Obejas, a Cuban immigrate who grew up in Indiana, started writing for the Chicago Tribune, Latina, POZ, The Advocate, and reported on high profile stories such as the Gianni Versace and Matthew Shepard murders.
After the attack on a Jewish day-care center in California and the murder of gay University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard, Dan Fischer set up The Diversity Foundation to encourage dentists to promote respect for human diversity.
The film ends with a dedication to Matthew Shepard and to "all the men & women who love differently".
Broudy came to national attention when he became the victim of a violent attack in 2002, which touched off a national discussion of hate crimes, drawing comparisons to the Matthew Shepard case.
Gospel of Matthew | Matthew | Matthew Flinders | Sam Shepard | Matthew McConaughey | Matthew Broderick | St Matthew Passion | Matthew Barney | Matthew Fox | Shepard Fairey | Matthew Prior | Matthew Arnold | Matthew Sweet | Matthew Perry | Matthew C. Perry | Matthew the Apostle | Matthew Herbert | Matthew Prior (cricketer) | Matthew Wolfenden | Matthew Shipp | Matthew Pearl | Matthew Fox (actor) | Matthew Boulton | Matthew Shepard | Matthew Pinsent | Matthew Parker | Matthew of Ajello | Matthew Lillard | Matthew Fontaine Maury | Matthew Paris |
In response to a 2003 appearance by Judy Shepard, whose son Matthew Shepard was murdered for being gay, The Hawk's Right Eye published articles accusing "militant homosexuals" who supported hate-crime legislation of opposing free speech and a gay-rights group of indoctrinating students.
Geringer is a character in the play The Laramie Project, about the Matthew Shepard murder and trial, which was a major news event while he was Governor.
In May 2009, Shepard met with President Barack Obama, where he promised her he would help pass the Matthew Shepard Act.