From Bubbabear:

     It's been nearly three years since Matthew Shepard was brutally beaten. Tied to a Wyoming fence for eighteen hours. Dying shortly after. Because he was gay. During the trials I wept and prayed for justice. But I never wanted his killers to be killed. If that had been done what I am suggesting now would not be possible. Their redemption. Follows is a post I have placed on many message boards. And sending a copy to their attorneys.

     People don't come down on me for this. It's what I feel.

     Tonight I reviewed my memorial to Matthew. BubbaBears Memorial to Matthew Shepard. As we approach the third anniversary of his death, I realized what I must do. Healing must begin. Aaron and Russell I forgive you. You are a product of a hate filled and misinformed society. Sadly you now reap its rewards. I hope you are never released from prison. But that doesn't mean I can't love you. Or forgive you. You not only destroyed Matthews life but also your own and those who care about you. Hate has many facets. But we cannot and must not allow it to consume us. You're lives are destroyed. You have no hopes or dreams. Just as Matthew doesn't. But you are alive. And you can redeem yourselves. You can show what the path of hate can bring. I extend the olive branch of peace. Do you have the courage to accept it, It's very hard not to hate you. But then I have seen what hate can do. You could do much to show how a life misspent destroys so many. I challenge you. Take up the torch. Admit your failings. In return I will be your friend. I will write you. Send you a few dollars for prison needs. Help make you life a little better. And I think I wouldn't be the only one. Why am I forgiving? I don't know. But I look at Matthew's face and it just seems to ask me to tell you this. And, maybe someday you could rejoin society, who knows what the future holds. Love conquers all. At first I said I never wanted you out of prison, Never is a long time. Maybe I could accept it. Especially if you were to use your story to show how wrong hate can be. You have the opportunity to change so much. Are you up to the long challenge. Can we all pray for Aaron McKinney and Russell Henderson? As a community can we begin to forgive. Can the healing begin? Nothing will bring Matthew back. But the last few years have seen many changes.

     My state passed a hate crime law. I doubt it would have passed without the specter of Matt. Many people are talking. Because of Matthew I bring up the subject of hate crimes to people whom I would otherwise never discuss the subject. And we talk. And learn.

     Since I first heard of Matthew I have had much personal growth. Become considerably more politically active, become involved in my churches social justice team, helped organize a 18 hour prayer vigil to end hate and violence (held on the anniversary of Matthew's hours on the fence). I know it isn't easy. I am struggling with it myself. But if we harbor hate we are no better than Fred Phelps. God doesn't hate anyone. Can't we follow God's example? Think about it. If we pray for Aaron and Russell, they may one day truly repent. And enter into God's kingdom and be able to apologize to Matthew in person. I have no problem with that.

     For those who think I am too forgiving and easy. I would want hurt the bastards. I would come close to damn near kill the SOB's if I were in a room with them. That would be my gut reaction. But I know in my heart I would to say to them. "Aaron and Russell, God still loves you. Can I help you find him? He can forgive anybody. If you really want him to." I remain the angry activist. But I still have a kind heart. And I can't hate. For hate is always wrong.

     If we as a community can take this attitude it doesn't show our weakness but demonstrates out strengths.

From Le Critic:

     Good message, Bubbabear. Thanks for the eloquent and intelligent post. When I first heard about what happened to that young man in Wyoming, it made me mad as Hell. But to take an old saying and give it a modern twist, "Reality works in mysterious ways." Maybe the national attention given to this atrocity will prevent other atrocities from happening. Maybe some would-be future killers out there in America read about or saw Matthew and changed their hearts. Maybe some homophobes filled with hate read about Matthew and saw the destination to which their evil beliefs ultimately lead.

     Matthew was a martyr. After him came the Heroes, like you, ready to fight the good fight. The President of Atlanta's PFLAG told me that after Matthew's martyrdom, new people called her up all over. They were mad as Hell, just like we were! PFLAG's membership doubled practically overnight.

     One of the things we try to do with our Gay page here is make plenty of links available that young Gay men and women can access to find out information and organizations that can help them in the process of coming out. PFLAG is among the best for that purpose. I think the toughest time of a Gay person in this country is youth, around the ages of 13 to 25. That was true for me when I was growing up Gay, and it is true for many young Gay people. Youth is the "at-risk" stage where a Gay person can be subject to feelings of isolation, a feeling that "I am the only one like this," alienation from others, and depression. We know where depression leads... nowhere!

     When I was 13, I did not know anyone in my school or neighborhood who was Gay, but I knew that I was. There is a feeling of being the only one in the Universe. And then add in the people who hate you because of what you are, and they are very vocal and in-your-face. I remember two homophobes in particular from my middle and high school years, I will never forget them, and the work I do here and elsewhere is, on one level, in response to them. In the future, they will be the pariahs. Gays will be accepted in the same way that other minorities are accepted. What will not be accepted is divisive, destructive bigotry.

     I love what I see and hear today, all of the good news that we read in the paper. And I'm looking forward to the future, and in my own small way helping make it happen. Every little bit plays a part, and every little role counts. You never know what mind is persuaded, what heart is changed by the actions you do and the words you say.