The Whole World Was Watching: Living in the Light of Matthew Shepard

Author(s): Romaine Patterson

Politics

THE POWERFUL STORY OF HOW THE MURDER OF HER BEST FRIEND TRANSFORMED PATTERSON INTO A LEADING GAY RIGHTS ACTIVIST On the evening of Thursday 8th October 1998 20 year old Romaine Patterson received a phone call informing her that her best friend, Matthew Shepard, had been beaten and left hanging on a split-rail fence outside Laramie, Wyoming. Romaine was then thrust into the centre of the media frenzy that descended on this small town and came face to face with twisted homophobia when Baptist minister Fred Phelps and his followers picketed Shepard's funeral with banners covered in hate slogans. Upon learning that Phelps planned to bring his ministry of hate to support Matt's killers at their trial Romaine went into action - who can forget Romaine and her friends donning seven-foot angel wings so they could encircle Phelps and his group, leaving them silent and invisible. From that moment forward Patterson became a spokesperson for tolerance, acceptance and non-violence around the globe. This is Romaine Patterson's amazing and affecting journey to realise that one person really can make a difference.


Product Information

Romaine Patterson is best known for her work combating the anti-gay antics of Rev. Fred Phelps. In 1999 she founded the Angel Action, an organization dedicated to peaceful protest. This organization is used around the globe as a means of combating hate. She also takes her work to various universities throughout the US. She lives in Brooklyn, New York.

General Fields

  • : 9781555839017
  • : Alyson Publications Inc
  • : Alyson Publications Inc
  • : books

Special Fields

  • : Romaine Patterson
  • : Hardback