In October of 1998, Matthew Shepard, a 21-year-old gay student at the University of Wyoming, was brutally beaten and murdered. Matthew was tied to a split-rail fence, where two men savagely assaulted him with the butt of a pistol and left him alone to die in a deserted field. The event underscored the issue of hate crimes against LGBTQ+ individuals in America. On September 20, 2025, a group gathered at the Luther Memorial Church in Erie to watch the documentary, "Matt Shepard is a Friend of Mine," in which several of Matthew's close friends shared how this special young man impacted their lives. The film shows graphic photos taken of Matthew after he was beaten, and the news coverage that followed the tragedy.

Luther Memorial in association with the Jefferson Educational Society, Greater Erie Alliance for Equality, NWPA Pride Alliance, Compton's Table, Erie Community Foundation, and Erie LGBT Fund will host a viewing of the documentary film 'Matt Sheperd is a Friend of Mine' on Saturday, September 20, 4:00 pm at 225 W 10th St, Erie, PA. In attendance will be the producer of the film, Linda Karn, and special guests Judy and Dennis Shepard.