The Whole World Was Watching: Living in the Light of Matthew Shepard

by Romaine Patterson, Patrick Hinds

On the evening of Thursday, October 8, 1998, 20-year-old Romaine Patterson received a phone call that her best friend, Matthew Shepard, had been beaten and left hanging on a split-rail fence outside Laramie, Wyo. Patterson was then thrust into the center of the worldwide media frenzy that descended on Laramie, and she came face-to-face with homophobic backlash when Baptist minister Fred Phelps and his followers picketed Shepard's funeral with signs reading Matt in Hell.
Upon learning of Phelps's plan to take his ministry of hate to support Shepard's killers at their trial, Patterson went into action. Who can forget the image of Patterson and her friends donning seven-foot angel wings so they could encircle Phelps and his gang, leaving the picketers silent and invisible? From that moment forward, Patterson has become a spokesperson for tolerance, acceptance, and nonviolence around the globe, whether as a founder of Angel Action, as a consultant for The Laramie Project (the award-winning play that has been produced hundreds of times and became an acclaimed Showtime film starring Christina Ricci as Patterson), or as cohost of the successful Sirius Satellite Radio show Derek & Romaine.
In one of their last conversations, Shepard told Patterson that he wanted to spend his life helping people realize that they, as individuals, could make a difference in the world. This book is Romaine Patterson's journey to realizing the truth of that statement.

Genres: Nonfiction, LGBT, Gay, Memoir, Biography Memoir, Biography

289 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2005

Reviews

[Laura Susan Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book shortly after reading "The Meaning of Matthew..." and found it to be well written, compassionate, and very interesting. A close friend of Matthew Shepard, Ms. Patterson describes the aftermath of the senseless murder in Laramie, WY, including the hateful efforts of the notorious Fred Phelps, a most despicable attention seeking moron who targets the funerals of gay people and military personnel to picket. She describes the counter efforts of Angels in Action, and her later work for GLAAD, with humor and candor. But the book is also a touching and facinating account of her own life as a gay woman, and her beloved family. I recommend it to anyone who needs an uplifting and positive read about people responding to evil deeds and evil intent with intelligence and strength.

[Marissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel horrible giving this book such a low review...it's not because of the topic or anything against the author or other people in the book.

It's just that the book didn't evoke anything in me. I expected to feel a lot of emotion while reading, and instead, I hardly felt any. I wanted to be moved, and I wasn't in any way. I'm not sure if Patterson was being clinical deliberately or if she's just not great at expressive writing, but to me, the whole thing just came off flat and detached. I'd hoped to learn more about Matthew as a person, but I didn't really get that, either. Nor did I feel any connection to the whole angel project or any of Patterson's other outreach efforts.

Bummer.

[Aiden Meyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good overall, but just not enough provoking emotion. She told her story as more “matter of fact” than getting into how she truly felt on the inside. She did in some parts, but even then, they felt somewhat dry or lacking, especially with her father. Great story teller, wish she would have let go some more. Book also needs a little more editing here and there.
Very important book to tell this historical occurrence in the perspective of someone so close to Matthew. I also liked how she didn’t want to sugar coat him or his life. She told it as it was, but that didn’t stop her from adoring him. Everyone has flaws in life.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've had this book on my shelf for a while and never got to it. Picked it up one day and could not put it down. I took a break to make food, but read it all in one day.

[Gustav Sandberg]

Important.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is like a roller coaster. I sobbed openly during parts an laughed out loud in others. It's such a strikingly personal story told so compellingly that it almost feels like catching up with a friend in long, deep conversation late into the night. I learned a lot I hadn't known about Matthew Shepard, and I have a greater appreciation and understanding of activism and the difference one person truly can make.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a harrowing tale. Patterson isn't a great writer-- but that's why she had help. She is, however, a great activist and friend to those in the story. A must read for all activists, I'd say. This story details the precursors, the impact of Shepard's violent murder, and the trickiness of dealing with the media, protesters, and nation.

[Jessica Stein · Rating 3 out of 5]

great eye for detail and character. very moving, manages to rise above being formulaic. needs editing, but worth reading. very gay 90s.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful tribute to her friend Matt! I wept for Romaine and Matt's family as they were put in the center of the storm of a horrifing hate crime/murder that shook the nation.

[Mikael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shines a light on the tragic events that took Matthew Shepherd from us.

[Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book that shows what it is like to grow up different and to stand up for what you believe in.