Marching in name of peace

By Erica Miller, On-Line Forty-Niner

Thursday, October 15, 1998

Candlelight illuminated the Long Beach City Hall courtyard Tuesday night as Councilman Alan Lowenthal said he will appeal to the city council to approve a human dignity policy at its next meeting during a vigil for Matthew Shepard.

More than 300 people attended the last-minute vigil for Shepard, a University of Wyoming student who died Monday from injuries sustained during a beating by two men Oct. 7.

Martin Combs, executive director of The Gay and Lesbian Community Center, said he organized the vigil in about 24 hours.

Combs said he began receiving calls Monday from people in the community asking what actions he planned to take as a response to the hate crime exacted on Shepard.

Combs called leaders from various organizations, city council members and volunteers.

Erin McLaughlin, a psychology graduate, recounted her story of being attacked by gay bashers in 1994.

McLaughlin said that she initially did not want to speak, but organizers reminded her why is was important for her to do so.

"What I got from this is how very important it is to be out and visible as a lesbian and be visible as gays and lesbians to dispel myths and stereotypes," McLaughlin said. "Our silence contributes to that."

McLaughlin said the two men who attacked Shepard should not be portrayed as psychopaths or that the situation be viewed as a freak occurrence because hate crimes occur on a daily basis.

"It's not going to solve the problem to electrocute them or throw them in jail," McLaughlin said. "We should be doing things like education and community service."

Though it was difficult to hear many of the speakers at the vigil, participants were aware of the emotion and the urgency of community activism stressed by the organizers.

After the speakers finished, vigil participants marched from City Hall to Broadway Boulevard, Cherry Avenue and finally stopping at Bixby Park.

"I was moved by the response to the vigil," Elsa Ramos, sociology major, said. "It was wonderful to see so many people come to the vigil at such short notice. It's encouraging to see people, regardless of their sexual orientation, willing to show their support."