Nearly 2,000 honored Matthew Shepard

Many members gathered at the Washington National Cathedral Friday to honor the late Matthew Shepard and hear the first out-gay bishop, Bishop Gene Robinson preside over the service.

More than 2,000 people attended the ceremony, according to Queerty, and paid their respects to Shepard’s parents, Dennis and Judy.

It was announced earlier, by the two parents, the cathedral would be their son’s final resting places because of its openness and acceptance of all.

Shepard was beaten and left for dead by two men he met at a bar when he was 21-years-old. The attack was declared a hate crime and the attackers are serving life sentences.

At the time of his death, the events following were turned into large media frenzies with anti-protestors, but Friday’s event contained only supportive audience members.

Specifically in attendance was 24-year-old Abigail Mocettini who though young at the time, felt it was necessary to pay her respects.

 “As we were coming out, this affected our parents and informed their fears,” she told The Washington Post. “Acknowledging queer history is a thing that needs to be respected. Once the old guard gets older, people forget how we got to rainbow flags in Dupont.”

In his speech, Robinson spoke of the progress the LGBTQ+ community has made as well as the struggles its faced with the Trump administration.

In the end, he urged all in attendance to “go vote” and continue the progress.

Copyright The Gayly. 10/28/2018 @ 12:26 p.m. CST.