Laramie Project shines light on hatred

In 1998, a 21-year-old Matthew Shepard was brutally beaten and left to die in Laramie, Wyoming. Members of the Tectonic Theater Project  began to investigate the horrific crime committed against the homosexual University of Wyoming student. 

After performing more than 200 interviews, director Moisés Kaufman and TTP created a play called, “The Laramie Project,” chronicling life in Laramie after Shepard’s death and exploring the issue of homosexuality related hate crimes. 

Since its premiere in 2000, “The Laramie Project” has been raising awareness of hatred toward homosexuals and promoting tolerance and open-mindedness toward others. Although it may seem like Americans have become generally more accepting of people of different sexual orientations, we have experienced an overall increase in such related hate crimes.

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the number of individuals victimized because of a sexual orientation bias increased from 1213 in 2005 to 1512 in 2007 in the U.S. alone. Surely, people are now more open to discussion of the topic of homosexuality than they were a few decades ago. But the reality is that hatred and prejudice continue to prevail even in a nation that prides itself in being the land of freedom and opportunities.

Even with the support of various agencies, such as LAMBDA and the International Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Trans and Intersex Association, the gay community will never be able to obtain complete acceptance. They may achieve equal rights, but because humans will be humans and cannot be purely objective in their judgment, they will always be discriminated against. 

Truly this is a sad reality that we must face, but there are ways to go beyond our limits and move forward in hopes of attaining greater equality for our people, regardless of their sexual orientation. 

Kaufman’s use of a creative outlet to inspire and improve the lives of others encourages individuals all over the world to take a global stand against the hatred and violence demonstrated toward homosexuals. And it is our duty to do so as citizens of not only humanity, but also America, where we believe in “liberty and justice for all.”