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The Laramie Project: A Harrowing Examination of Hate Crime and Community

Octavio Paz

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Published in The Laramie Project And The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later

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The Laramie Project and The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later

by Andy Paris

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1470 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	226 pages

The Laramie Project is a powerful and moving play that tells the true story of the murder of Matthew Shepard, a gay college student in Laramie, Wyoming. Shepard was brutally beaten and left to die on a fence post in October 1998. His murder sent shockwaves through the nation and sparked a national dialogue about hate crime and homophobia.

The play was written by Moisés Kaufman and members of the Tectonic Theater Project. It is based on interviews with the people of Laramie who were affected by Shepard's murder, including his friends, family, and members of the community. The play premiered in 2000 and has been performed around the world.

The Laramie Project is a powerful indictment of hate crime and homophobia. It also explores the power of community to heal and the importance of compassion and understanding.

Themes

The Laramie Project explores a number of important themes, including:

Hate crime
Homophobia
Community
Healing

Hate crime

The Laramie Project is a searing indictment of hate crime. The play shows how hate crime can destroy lives and tear communities apart. Shepard's murder was a horrific example of hate crime, but it is far from an isolated incident. Hate crimes are committed against people of all races, religions, and sexual orientations.

Homophobia

Homophobia is a major theme in The Laramie Project. The play shows how homophobia can lead to violence and hatred. Shepard was murdered because he was gay. His killers were motivated by homophobia, and they believed that they were justified in killing him because of his sexual orientation.

Community

The Laramie Project also explores the power of community. In the wake of Shepard's murder, the people of Laramie came together to support each other and to heal. The play shows how community can help people to overcome tragedy and to find hope.

Healing

The Laramie Project is a story about healing. The play shows how the people of Laramie were able to heal from the trauma of Shepard's murder. The play also shows how healing can be a long and difficult process, but it is possible to find healing and hope even in the darkest of times.

Characters

The Laramie Project features a large cast of characters, including:

Matthew Shepard
Aaron McKinney
Russell Henderson
Dennis Shepard
Judy Shepard
Romaine Patterson
Father Roger Schmit
Reverend Fred Phelps

Matthew Shepard

Matthew Shepard was a gay college student who was brutally murdered in Laramie, Wyoming in 1998. Shepard's murder was a horrific hate crime, and it sent shockwaves through the nation. Shepard was a kind and loving person, and he did not deserve to be killed. His death is a reminder of the dangers of hate crime and homophobia.

Aaron McKinney

Aaron McKinney was one of the two men who murdered Matthew Shepard. McKinney was a high school dropout and a methamphetamine addict. He was motivated by homophobia to kill Shepard. McKinney is currently serving a life sentence in prison.

Russell Henderson

Russell Henderson was the other man who murdered Matthew Shepard. Henderson was a friend of McKinney's, and he helped McKinney to plan and carry out the murder. Henderson is also serving a life sentence in prison.

Dennis Shepard

Dennis Shepard is Matthew Shepard's father. He is a rancher and a former rodeo cowboy. Dennis is a strong advocate for gay rights. He has spoken out against hate crime and homophobia, and he has worked to raise awareness of the dangers of hate speech.