Judy Shepard to speak at Union Theater

Gay rights activist Judy Shepard will speak at the Wisconsin Union Theater in Memorial Union Tuesday, Feb. 27 at 7:30 p.m. as part of the Distinguished Lecture Series.

Shepard will discuss the events surrounding the death of her son and the aftermath in “The Legacy of Matthew Shepard.” On Oct. 8, 1998, Judy and Dennis Shepard were awakened in the middle of the night by a telephone call informing them that their eldest son, Matthew, was in a coma after being brutally attacked — because he was gay. He would later die.

Since then, Judy Shepard has testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee supporting the Hate Crimes Prevention Act and has been involved in a public service campaigning aimed at curbing anti-gay violence.

Free tickets will be available at the Union Theater Box Office for UW–Madison students and Wisconsin Union members Wednesday, Feb. 21; one ticket per ID, up to four people. Remaining tickets will be available to the public on Friday, Feb. 23. Box Office hours are 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. weekdays. More information: Mark Reischel, (608) 262-2216, mjreisch@students.wisc.edu.