Conservative groups denounce Wyoming murder

National Catholic Reporter, Oct 23, 1998

Conservative religious groups known for their condemnation of homosexuality are adding their voices to those denouncing the brutal murder of a gay University of Wyoming student.

Matthew Shepard, 21, died Oct. 12 at a hospital in Fort Collins, Colo., after being tied to a wooden fence. He had been in a coma with his skull beaten so badly doctors were unable to operate. Charges against Arthur Henderson, 21, and Aaron James McKinney, 22, were upgraded to include first-degree murder.

Randy Tate, executive director of the Christian Coalition, was one of several officials of conservative groups to decry Shepard's murder. "Christian Coalition and people of faith throughout the nation condemn in the strongest terms the vicious and barbaric attack on Matthew Shepard, which resulted in his death," Tate said in a statement. "There should be zero toleration in a civilized society for people who commit such acts of senseless violence. In this country all. murder is a hate crime."

While denouncing Shepard's violent murder, some conservative leaders expressed concern about gay organizations and media representatives who said the killing might have been fueled by recent ad campaigns supporting the idea that gays can be transformed into heterosexuals.

"We stand for truth in love, believing that same-sex marriage and other policies undermine the family and the fabric of our civilization," said James Dobson, president of Focus on the Family. "Just because we oppose this agenda does not in any way mean that we oppose the people involved in homosexuality."