It became the first federal legislation in the US aimed at preventing hate crimes on the basis of sexual identity. Judy and Dennis Shepard were also instrumental in passing the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. The foundation’s executive director Jason Marsden said: ‘We hope that by representing our foundation and reminding people of Matt, we can encourage both those affected by hate crimes and law enforcement to step up, connect, and do a better job for LGBTQ+ community of Miami Beach.’ Throughout its evolution, the foundation is now a space to support LGBTI youth.
‘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,’ his mother, Judy, said during the October ceremony.įollowing Shepard’s death, his parents created the Matthew Shepard Foundation.Īt the start, the organization’s main mission was to encourage parents to accept and love their children, regardless of their sexuality. Gus Kenworthy, fresh off a Winter Olympics that saw his profile soar for being an openly gay athlete, will be the grand marshal of the Miami Beach Gay Pride parade, Sunday, April 8, beginning at noon along Ocean Avenue. This fall, Shepard was finally laid to rest at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC. This article originally appeared on Outsports. Olympic Gold Medalist and Pride Grand Marshal Gus Kenworthy (left) leads the parade with boyfriend Matthew Wilkas. He died several days later from the brutal hate crime. 111 Photos of Miami Beach Gay Pride with Gus Kenworthy. It’s the happiest time of year: Miami Beach Pride is back for 2022. On 7 October 1998, two young men beat and robbed 21-year-old Shepard. They tied him to a fence in the freezing cold in Laramie, Wyoming. The reigning LGBTQ+ celebration kicks off April 1 with 10 days of programming, celebrity guests and its iconic SoBe parade. ‘We are incredibly honored to have Judy and Dennis Shepard be our Miami Beach Pride ally marshals this year, and to honor them for their unwavering support and tireless work in the LGBTQ community,’ chairman of Miami Beach Pride, Bruce Horwich, told The Advocate. The two marshals will participate in events throughout Pride Week and will lead the colorful parade down Ocean Drive.Parents of Matthew Shepard, Judy and Dennis Shepard, are headlining Miami Beach Pride in 2019.
Joining Kenworthy in helming the parade will be NBC6 weekend anchor Roxanne Vargas, this year's ally grand marshal. Kenworthy, 26, received significant attention – some of which was negative – after NBC broadcast him kissing his boyfriend, actor Matt Wilkas ( Gayby), on live TV. Being here now, out and proud and living my life authentically, I'm walking away more fulfilled without a medal than I did at the last Games with one," he said on social media. "I failed to land my run in the final and didn't end up on the podium but, for me, the Olympics aren't solely about the medals. aquí les va un breve recuento del orgullo gay en miami beach en el 2018, una fiesta donde se da prioridad a la alegría, el amor, la igualdad, y sobre todo a. But he said that while he was disappointed that he did not medal in Pyeongchang, being out was its own reward. At this year's Winter Olympics in South Korea, Kenworthy was sidelined by multiple injuries. Kenworthy came out in an ESPN The Magazine cover story shortly after he won a silver medal in slopestyle skiing at the Sochi Olympics in 2014.
Miami Beach's 10th annual parade steps off on Sunday, April 8. Pick your preferred VIP Experience with Miami Beach Pride. Olympic freestyle skier Gus Kenworthy has been named grand marshal of Miami Beach Gay Pride parade. Miami Beach Pride is a multi-day celebration of arts and culture.