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Always Matt: A Tribute to Matthew Shepard
A poignant tribute to the life of Matthew Shepard and his legacy in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights, published on the 25th anniversary of the formation of the Matthew Shepard Foundation
On the night of October 6, 1998, in Laramie, Wyoming, Matthew Wayne Shepard (1976–1998) was brutally killed solely because he was gay. It was a shocking murder that was nationally covered in the media, and it became a rallying cry for the LGBTQ+ rights movement. In 2009, the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act was signed by President Barack Obama, expanding the federal hate crime law to include crimes motivated by a victim’s actual or perceived gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.
With a foreword by Jason Collins—the first openly gay, active player in the NBA—and written by Lesléa Newman—author of the Stonewall Honor–winning novel-in-verse October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard , and a friend of the Shepard family— Always Matt is an emotional yet ultimately hopeful look at the progress that’s been made, as well as the work that still continues, in advocating for the dignity and equality of all people. Without shying away from the pain and tragedy of his death, moving, lyrical prose and minimalist line drawings present a celebration of his incredible life. Twenty-five years after the formation of the Matthew Shepard Foundation, which dedicates its mission to erasing hate, Matthew’s story still resonates for those who lived through it, and remains a vital piece of LGBTQ+ history for younger generations to learn.
On the night of October 6, 1998, in Laramie, Wyoming, Matthew Wayne Shepard (1976–1998) was brutally killed solely because he was gay. It was a shocking murder that was nationally covered in the media, and it became a rallying cry for the LGBTQ+ rights movement. In 2009, the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act was signed by President Barack Obama, expanding the federal hate crime law to include crimes motivated by a victim’s actual or perceived gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.
With a foreword by Jason Collins—the first openly gay, active player in the NBA—and written by Lesléa Newman—author of the Stonewall Honor–winning novel-in-verse October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard , and a friend of the Shepard family— Always Matt is an emotional yet ultimately hopeful look at the progress that’s been made, as well as the work that still continues, in advocating for the dignity and equality of all people. Without shying away from the pain and tragedy of his death, moving, lyrical prose and minimalist line drawings present a celebration of his incredible life. Twenty-five years after the formation of the Matthew Shepard Foundation, which dedicates its mission to erasing hate, Matthew’s story still resonates for those who lived through it, and remains a vital piece of LGBTQ+ history for younger generations to learn.
104 pages, Hardcover
Published September 26, 2023
105 people want to read
About the author
Lesléa Newman
111 books247 followersLesléa Newman (born 1955, Brooklyn, NY) is the author of over 50 books including Heather Has Two Mommies, A Letter To Harvey Milk, Writing From The Heart, In Every Laugh a Tear, The Femme Mystique, Still Life with Buddy, Fat Chance and Out of the Closet and Nothing to Wear.
She has received many literary awards including Poetry Fellowships from the Massachusetts Artists Fellowship Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts, the Highlights for Children Fiction Writing Award, the James Baldwin Award for Cultural Achievement, and two Pushcart Prize Nominations.
Nine of her books have been Lambda Literary Award finalists.
Ms. Newman wrote Heather Has Two Mommies, the first children's book to portray lesbian families in a positive way, and has followed up this pioneering work with several more children's books on lesbian and gay families: Gloria Goes To Gay Pride, Belinda's Bouquet, Too Far Away to Touch, and Saturday Is Pattyday.
She is also the author of many books for adults that deal with lesbian identity, Jewish identity and the intersection and collision between the two. Other topics Ms. Newman explores include AIDS, eating disorders, butch/femme relationships and sexual abuse. Her award-winning short story, A Letter To Harvey Milk has been made into a film and adapted for the stage.
In addition to being an author, Ms. Newman is a popular guest lecturer, and has spoken on college campuses across the country including Harvard University, Yale University, the University of Oregon, Bryn Mawr College, Smith College and the University of Judaism. From 2005-2009, Lesléa was a faculty member of the Stonecoast MFA program at the University of Southern Maine. Currently, she is the Poet Laureate of Northampton, MA.
She has received many literary awards including Poetry Fellowships from the Massachusetts Artists Fellowship Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts, the Highlights for Children Fiction Writing Award, the James Baldwin Award for Cultural Achievement, and two Pushcart Prize Nominations.
Nine of her books have been Lambda Literary Award finalists.
Ms. Newman wrote Heather Has Two Mommies, the first children's book to portray lesbian families in a positive way, and has followed up this pioneering work with several more children's books on lesbian and gay families: Gloria Goes To Gay Pride, Belinda's Bouquet, Too Far Away to Touch, and Saturday Is Pattyday.
She is also the author of many books for adults that deal with lesbian identity, Jewish identity and the intersection and collision between the two. Other topics Ms. Newman explores include AIDS, eating disorders, butch/femme relationships and sexual abuse. Her award-winning short story, A Letter To Harvey Milk has been made into a film and adapted for the stage.
In addition to being an author, Ms. Newman is a popular guest lecturer, and has spoken on college campuses across the country including Harvard University, Yale University, the University of Oregon, Bryn Mawr College, Smith College and the University of Judaism. From 2005-2009, Lesléa was a faculty member of the Stonecoast MFA program at the University of Southern Maine. Currently, she is the Poet Laureate of Northampton, MA.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
January 26, 2024
This book is a beautiful tribute to Matthew Shepard. While growing up in Wyoming and attending school in Laramie, Matt’s story was always on my mind. Thank you to Lesléa Newman for continuing to tell his story and for keeping his memory alive. I love that she tells the story in verse, leaving “a great deal of empty space on the page, which mirrors the empty space Matt left behind when he was taken from this world.” Everyone should read this book!
September 26, 2023
This book made me cry. ALWAYS MATT is a beautiful tribute to Matthew Shepard, a young man who was brutally beaten, tied to a fence, and left to die simply because he was gay. Author, Lesléa Newman, gives us a glimpse of who Matt was as a person, and how his death brought the world together to push for equality and fight for better protections for the LGBTQ+ community. Lesléa’s powerful words, combined with deeply moving illustrations by Brian Britigan, broke my heart. And even though there were only a few words on each page, I found myself constantly pausing to take it all in because my emotions were all over the place. There's also a touching foreword by Jason Collins where he shares how Matt's story shaped his life and helped him gain the courage to come out. My only complaint is that this book did not come with a box of tissues. ALWAYS MATT ends with the question, “What can you do in Matt’s memory in order to make a difference?” I hope this story keeps Matt’s memory alive and helps inspire people to be kind, love one another, and do something to make the world a better place.
December 10, 2023
So much packed into this slim book; I read it from cover to cover absorbing every detail from the exquisite drawings to the carefully narrated rhythm. I had to go back and just be in the moment with the illustrations.
September 24, 2023
I cried when I found this book on truck. I work at a book store and we only got one copy so when I saw it I immediately bought it! Matthew Shepard means so much to me!! I never knew him but him and his story has meant so much to me in so many different way throughout my life! Him and his story has changed my life for the better, made me a better person! I LOVED this book! It was such a perfect tribute to him! So beautiful and simple! If you don’t know his story… ask someone, go read about it- it will make you see the world in a different light. Love one another and read this beautiful book!
January 25, 2024
This book is confusing. I’m glad it exists, and it was kind of intense for me, especially the picture of the truck parked in front of the fence where they tied Matt up. That image was jolting, just because I remember a scene like that in a documentary about Matt that I watched a long time ago. The book mentioned the angels at the trial but not at his funeral, except when talking about the trial it mentions that they were at his funeral as well, which seemed odd. Also I don’t know who the audience of this book is supposed to be. It’s listed as a graphic novel, but looks like a picture book. It’s listed as written in poetry, but doesn’t read like it’s poetry at all. It’s just kind of strange. It seems to be written for little kids but maybe marketed to older kids or adults? I don’t know what to think about this one. I still appreciate it, and I'm very glad there is a book like this, but I think it could have been better.
March 16, 2024
Matt's story is one that will stick on our cultural consciousness for a while, and it has continued to burrow into my heart. I was a Matthew Shepard scholarship recipient in 2018 and met Judy and Dennis the following year--I was and continued to be awed by their strength as parents to keep telling Matt's story, even as they recount the details of his murder time and again. Within that same year, my college choir was one of the first in the country to perform Considering Matthew Shepard, a piece that has stuck with me years after the fact; I saw it performed locally this last Pride and it was a really wonderful full-circle feeling moment. Needless to say, though we never walked this earth at the same time, Matthew's memory lives in my heart, and this book is a beautiful tribute to him. The illustrations accompanying the poem create such a rich background for the sparse yet simple words: to the world, he is Matthew Shepard. To his family, he will always be Matt.
December 15, 2024
This quiet, contemplative book about Matthew Shepard is certain to elicit strong emotions.
Using 3 line stanzas of poetry, Newman humanizes Matt as a child, then as the victim of a horrible homophobic attack/murder, and finishes with how his parents have worked hard to keep the memory of Matt alive by talking about him and encouraging others to accept others as they are. The book opens with a foreward by NBA basketball player Jason Collins, who was one of the first professional athletes to come out of the closet about his sexuality and a preface by Newman who talks about the importance of Matt's story in LGBTQ+ history. It closes with an epilogue detailing how Newman missed meeting Matt by one day, introduces readers to his parents, the Bishop who oversaw his inurnment in the Washington National Cathedral, The Laramie Project, Angel Actions, the Matt Shepard memorial bench at UW, the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, the film Matt Shepard Is a Friend of Mine, a discussion question, author/illustrator notes, and a bibliography of Author Resources.
Newman is respectful and relaxed in this presentation. The text is quiet, yet very emotional. The simplicity makes this book approachable for upper elementary and middle graders to read and discuss, as it looks like a picture book - when compared to Newman's powerful "October Mourning" poetry collection, which should be used with grades 8-12. Digital illustrations by Brian Bitigan are subdued and full of emotion, as well. He has done an admirable job of capturing the likenesses of Matt at different ages and the settings of the times.
Not for everyone, but this could be useful for counselors or teachers whose clients/students are dealing with the violent death of a classmate/student in the school or as a discussion starter for communities who are at risk of homophobia. A must for LGBTQ+ collections.
Highly Recommended for grades 5-8.
Using 3 line stanzas of poetry, Newman humanizes Matt as a child, then as the victim of a horrible homophobic attack/murder, and finishes with how his parents have worked hard to keep the memory of Matt alive by talking about him and encouraging others to accept others as they are. The book opens with a foreward by NBA basketball player Jason Collins, who was one of the first professional athletes to come out of the closet about his sexuality and a preface by Newman who talks about the importance of Matt's story in LGBTQ+ history. It closes with an epilogue detailing how Newman missed meeting Matt by one day, introduces readers to his parents, the Bishop who oversaw his inurnment in the Washington National Cathedral, The Laramie Project, Angel Actions, the Matt Shepard memorial bench at UW, the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, the film Matt Shepard Is a Friend of Mine, a discussion question, author/illustrator notes, and a bibliography of Author Resources.
Newman is respectful and relaxed in this presentation. The text is quiet, yet very emotional. The simplicity makes this book approachable for upper elementary and middle graders to read and discuss, as it looks like a picture book - when compared to Newman's powerful "October Mourning" poetry collection, which should be used with grades 8-12. Digital illustrations by Brian Bitigan are subdued and full of emotion, as well. He has done an admirable job of capturing the likenesses of Matt at different ages and the settings of the times.
Not for everyone, but this could be useful for counselors or teachers whose clients/students are dealing with the violent death of a classmate/student in the school or as a discussion starter for communities who are at risk of homophobia. A must for LGBTQ+ collections.
Highly Recommended for grades 5-8.
September 30, 2023
Leslea Newman’s latest book, Always Matt, is spare and moving. Lovingly written, it captures Matt’s beautiful character and his lifelong struggles which ended in his tragic and untimely death. I felt the injustice of the crime committed against Matt—murder at its ugliest—deep in my heart, even though, or maybe because, it was captured in few words.
Brian Brittigan’s illustrations intensify the beauty of the narrative. I appreciated the author's resource list and the author's and artist's notes at the end of the book. I hope it is a book that is read by many and leads to greater understanding and acceptance of the LGBT+ community and of all people.
Brian Brittigan’s illustrations intensify the beauty of the narrative. I appreciated the author's resource list and the author's and artist's notes at the end of the book. I hope it is a book that is read by many and leads to greater understanding and acceptance of the LGBT+ community and of all people.
December 30, 2023
A sweet and simple graphic novel about Matthew Shepard, the young man who was brutally beaten and left to die in a horrific homophobic attack in 1998. This year marked the 25 anniversary of Matthew's death. I remember exactly where I was when the news traveled from Wyoming to NYC. I joined an impromptu vigil in Manhattan. This book reminds me how Matt's life influenced and changed so many things in the world including The Shepard Byrd Act - the first statute allowing federal criminal prosecution of hate crimes motivated by the victim’s actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. My love to the Shepards. Nice way to finish out my 2023 reading.
October 4, 2023
A tender slim volume about the too brief life of Matthew Shepherd along with the voices of other folks in the LGBT +
community. Accompanied by lovely soft watercolors This is slightly over 100 pages with drawings and is not comprehensive in any way as far as Matt’s life and death.
It is more of a memorial type of book. I think it would be a good book for school libraries, if it would be allowed in during this fraught time of censorship. But these kinds of books are exactly what we need to prevent the kind of violence that Matt and other LGBT+ youth and adults have suffered.
community. Accompanied by lovely soft watercolors This is slightly over 100 pages with drawings and is not comprehensive in any way as far as Matt’s life and death.
It is more of a memorial type of book. I think it would be a good book for school libraries, if it would be allowed in during this fraught time of censorship. But these kinds of books are exactly what we need to prevent the kind of violence that Matt and other LGBT+ youth and adults have suffered.
March 24, 2025
We need to keep telling the story of Matthew Shepard as often as we can, both to honor his memory and to remind ourselves of the work that has been done—and still needs doing—to make the world a safer place for LGBTQ folk. I appreciate the simplicity of this telling of Matt’s life story, which sits alongside other powerful testimonies, including the play The Laramie Project, the film Matt Shepard Is a Friend of Mine, and the choral work Considering Matthew Shepard. And I join the author in hoping this little book moves others to take action to make the world a better place.
November 28, 2023
A beautiful, harrowing picture of Matthew Shephard. The art is beyond gorgeous and portrays warmth, light, and dark. It's as if you're looking at photographs not art. This book would work to introduce any age person to the life and death of Matt.
It's short but mighty. My husband picked it up off the table and read it before I could get to it.
It's short but mighty. My husband picked it up off the table and read it before I could get to it.
May 29, 2024
A beautiful and moving tribute to who Matt was and what he lived in hope of before his life was so brutally cut short. Newman and Britigan do a masterful job of portraying Matthew Shepard's life and legacy through their verse and illustrations. It is an important work that continues the battle against hatred that still sadly continues today.
January 7, 2024
Beautiful tribute to Matt. I was blessed enough to know him long ago. We went to college together in NC and since it was a small school, everyone knew everyone. He was a beautiful soul with a caring heart and this is a touching tribute to him.
December 2, 2023
brb crying in a library
December 2, 2023
Beautiful!
December 16, 2023
The prologue and epilogue are just as worthwhile as the beautiful illustrations and simple, but moving, prose-poem about Matt Sheppard’s life and death.
December 17, 2023
Absolutely beautiful
January 2, 2024
Beautiful words and beautiful illustrations. A powerful story told from a new angle, I also loved and learned reading the profiles at the end.
January 12, 2024
Gently and kindly tells the story of Matthew Shepard, a story that needs to be repeated and remembered.
June 1, 2024
5 stars. i absolutely love this story. i’ve had the honor of working with leséa, and it’s been so amazing. she’s brilliant!
August 7, 2024
A work read.
Read
December 30, 2023Absolute masterpiece.
Read
July 30, 2024I just cried a little while reading this in a bookshop
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews