Matthew Shepard: Vigil to End Violence this Sunday, October 12

Written by Doug Riley

Thursday, 09 October 2003

Kansas City, MO (October 9, 2003) – Matthew Shepard: Vigil To End Violence – one in a series of events to mark National Domestic Violence Awareness Month – will be held this Sunday, October 12 from 6:00-7:00 p.m. at Unity Temple on the Plaza.

The vigil is open to the public, and is hosted by the Kansas City Anti-Violence Project (KCAVP). KCAVP is the area’s only nonprofit organization dedicated to ending domestic violence and sexual assault in Kansas City’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) community by delivering previously unmet services and providing significant community outreach. The vigil is also supported by The National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ).

Walt Boulden, the evening’s keynote speaker, currently teaches in the Graduate School of Social Work at UMKC and is involved in the LGBT Youth Violence Prevention Project of Greater Kansas City. Walt moved to Kansas City from Laramie, Wyoming in November of 1998 – shortly after his close friend, Matthew Shepard, was murdered. Walt knew Matt for seven years and was the first person Matt came out to.

In the aftermath of Matt's attack and death, Walt spoke at a candle light vigil on the steps of the United States Capitol Building, and appeared on 20/20, Good Morning America and Larry King Live. Walt has been conducting workshops on LGBT issues for over nine years, and his doctoral dissertation was titled "How can you be Gay and live in Wyoming."

Other highlights of the vigil include a candle lighting, moment of silence and verbal remembrance of LGBT domestic violence and hate crime victims whose names have been recorded at a national level. Offerings are welcome, but are not necessary for participation.

Doug Riley, executive director of KCAVP, says, “The vigil provides an opportunity for people who are interested in ending violence to come together. There is no denying that the subject matter is difficult and highly emotional, especially for people whose lives have been directly affected by hate or bias crimes.” Riley continues, “KCAVP’s goal for the evening is to provide an experience that leaves participants with a feeling of hope. I think our program will accomplish this goal. And I also believe that the vigil will result in greater awareness about LGBT violence and how Kansas Citians can come together to support victims and prevent these crimes.”

For more information about the series of events that KCAVP has planned during National Domestic Violence Awareness Month or how to participate, call 816-561-0550 or visit www.kcavp.org.

KCAVP is a Missouri nonprofit corporation committed to providing services, advocacy and education for LGBT-related domestic violence and sexual assault within the five counties that encompass the metropolitan Kansas City area. KCAVP is a member of the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP) as well as the Missouri Coalition Against Domestic Violence (MCADV).