Replacing hate with understanding, compassion and acceptance for over 25 years in honor of Matthew Shepard. Help us #EraseHate!The Matthew Shepard Foundation empowers individuals to embrace human dignity and diversity through outreach, advocacy and resource programs.

Core values

- **Advocacy and Legislation**: The foundation played a crucial role in the passage of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which extends federal hate-crime statutes to include crimes motivated by anti-gay bias, among other protections[1][5].
- **Community Outreach and Education**: The foundation supports productions of "The Laramie Project" and provides hate crime prevention training, which helps in fostering a more inclusive and compassionate society[1][3][5].
- **Promoting Equality and Dignity**: The foundation works to inspire individuals, organizations, and communities to embrace the dignity and equality of all people, particularly focusing on the LGBTQ+ community[1][3][5].
- **Creating Safer Communities**: Through their training programs, the foundation helps improve relations between law enforcement and marginalized communities, enhancing hate crime enforcement[3].