Historical Context
Gay Rights
Founded in Chicago in 1924, the Society for Human Rights was the first U.S. organization dedicated to advocating for the rights of self-identified homosexuals. However, it wasn't until nearly three decades later that a nationwide gay-rights organization emerged. This was the Mattachine Society, led by Harry Hay, who is often regarded as a pioneer of the gay-rights movement. In 1956, the Daughters of Bilitis was formed to specifically address the needs of lesbians, establishing a focused movement for women. The gay rights movement truly began to gain traction in the 1960s, a period when the nation was already attentive to the civil rights struggles of African Americans and women. A pivotal event, known as the Stonewall Riots, took place at a New York gay bar where patrons resisted arrest, sparking the gay-rights movement in the U.S. That night in 1969 became historic as the first instance of gay individuals fighting back. As the news of the resistance spread, the push for gay rights became more resolute, with people increasingly demanding civil and social rights for homosexuals.
Until 1962, homosexual acts were illegal across the United States, until Illinois became the first state to decriminalize such acts when done privately. By the century's end, most states had repealed laws against homosexual acts. In 2003, the Supreme Court's decision in Lawrence v. Texas invalidated any remaining state laws criminalizing homosexual acts.
In the twenty-first century, the focus of the gay rights movement has shifted to civil unions and same-sex marriage. While this remains a divisive issue in the U.S., several European nations and some Canadian provinces have recognized same-sex marriage.
Matthew Shepard
Matthew Shepard was born in Casper, Wyoming, in 1976. He attended Catawba and Casper Colleges before transferring to the University of Wyoming in Laramie, where he pursued a major in political science. On the night of October 6, 1998, Matthew left the Fireside Bar in Laramie with Aaron McKinney and Russell Henderson. Eighteen hours later, Matthew was discovered alive but unconscious, tied to a cattle fence outside Laramie. He was transported to Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins, where it was found that he had suffered a skull fracture extending from the back of his head to the front of his right ear. He also had numerous deep cuts on his face, neck, and head. Due to the severity of his injuries, the medical team decided surgery was not possible. Matthew never regained consciousness and passed away on October 12 at 12:53 a.m.
McKinney and Henderson were arrested shortly after the assault. Authorities recovered the bloody gun used to pistol-whip Matthew, along with his shoes and credit card. The girlfriends of McKinney and Henderson provided false alibis for the two suspects.
On April 5, 1999, Henderson admitted guilt and agreed to testify against McKinney as part of a plea deal. In return for his cooperation, Henderson was sentenced to two consecutive life terms without the possibility of parole. McKinney faced trial and was found guilty. After Matthew Shepard's father spoke out against the death penalty, McKinney was also sentenced to two consecutive life terms without the chance of parole.
Wyoming
Ancient tribes inhabited Wyoming over 12,000 years ago, leaving behind cultural remnants at sites like Medicine Wheel near Lovell. By the time John Colter, the first white explorer, arrived in 1807, tribes such as the Sioux, Shoshone, and Cheyenne were already farming the land. Soon after, legendary fur trappers like Kit Carson and Jedediah Smith followed. The California Gold Rush led to an influx of settlers passing through Wyoming, necessitating supply stations and military forts. Fort Laramie became...
(This entire section contains 838 words.)
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one of Wyoming's key military outposts. As more people traveled through, many chose to settle, establishing the state's first cattle ranches on lands once roamed by large buffalo herds.
Wyoming, known as the Equality State, was a pioneer in women's rights within the United States. In 1869, it became the first government worldwide to grant women the right to vote. The following year, Ester Hobart Morris was appointed as the first female justice of the peace. In 1924, Nellie Tayloe Ross was elected as the first female governor in the United States.
Laramie, named after the trapper Jacques LaRamee, originated from a small military settlement and later emerged as a needed maintenance hub for the developing railroad. The area's plentiful fresh water from the Laramie River and the nearby Medicine Bow Mountains made it an ideal settlement location. By the late nineteenth century, the establishment of the University of Wyoming and the Wyoming Territorial Prison bolstered the town's economic stability. The early twentieth-century discovery of gold and silver in the mountains further invigorated the local economy.
Today, Laramie is a modest town with a population of under 30,000. It benefits from mild weather, a low cost of living, and unemployment rates below the national average. Situated in the southeastern corner of Wyoming along Interstate 80, Laramie is about forty miles northwest of Cheyenne. The town sits at an elevation of over a mile, surrounded by national forests and bisected by the Laramie River. Many online resources about the town mention Matthew Shepard.
Literary Style
Docudrama
A docudrama is a dramatized interpretation of real-life events grounded in factual accuracy. Unlike other dramatic forms, it aims to faithfully portray actual occurrences. In essence, you could describe a docudrama as a nonfiction theatrical piece.
The Laramie Project exemplifies a docudrama. Crafted to mimic a documentary, it was written by Moisés Kaufman, who led his Tectonic Theater Project to Laramie, Wyoming. There, they conducted interviews about the tragic murder of Matthew Shepard. This event truly happened, and the interviews were conducted with real residents of Laramie, the location of the crime. The play's objective was to showcase the community's reactions to this horrific act. Kaufman believed that the reflections of those directly affected would spark global discussions on homosexuality and hate crimes. To present the gathered information accurately, Kaufman structured the play as an interview reenactment rather than a fictional narrative. The creative element lay in how Kaufman wove together the information to form a compelling story. The production featured minimal props and a small cast portraying multiple characters. The content was organized thematically to build dramatic tension. While some Laramie residents requested anonymity, most real names were used, and much of the dialogue was derived from the recorded interviews.
Structural Patterns
The play's structure followed a consistent pattern, divided into three distinct forms. The first form was termed a "Moment." These Moments, scattered throughout the play, offered the audience concentrated insights into particular aspects of the drama. Often, the Moments featured reflections from Tectonic Theater Project members as they processed their experiences in Laramie and their interactions with its residents. At times, these sections delved into individual residents' reactions and emotions, providing the audience with a deeper understanding of certain fears and beliefs.
Between the Moments, the play incorporated brief interview segments. Occasionally, one person's remarks would be interrupted by another's differing or agreeing perspective, presenting the audience with a balanced view of the community's responses to the murder. These interview segments were loosely arranged to create a timeline of events leading to the crime and those that followed. Additionally, they provided context about Laramie and the cultural landscape of its inhabitants.
The third segment of the pattern involved direct announcements or speeches, which were more elaborate than the comments given in interviews. For instance, there were announcements made by the hospital's medical staff where Matthew Shepard was fighting for his life. Additionally, there were statements from the press, allegedly sourced from actual news reports. Furthermore, there was the speech delivered by Matthew’s father in the courtroom.
Contrast and Juxtaposition
The snippets of conversations between members of the Tectonic Theater Project and Laramie residents are arranged to evoke the emotions experienced by those involved. Kaufman achieves this by placing real statements in positions of contrast or juxtaposition—either opposing or complementing each other. For example, in a section of the play, a series of remarks from various town religious leaders are presented. While some leaders strongly oppose homosexuality, others are more accepting. One interviewee references biblical passages condemning homosexuality, while another religious figure offers a different interpretation.
Another example is seen in the interviews focusing on the accused murderers. The people of Laramie struggle to comprehend how two of their own could commit such a heinous act. To convey or amplify these emotions, Kaufman not only discusses the crime and its horrific details—such as the scene describing Matthew’s face being washed with his tears and McKinney’s confession transcript—but also includes comments from those who remember McKinney as a sweet child.
Additionally, there is a contrast in the various remarks by townspeople who claim the prevailing attitude was “live and let live.” They insist that most people do not mind if someone is homosexual, as it is a private matter. However, contrasting this view are the comments from gay community members, who express fear for their safety.
Media Adaptations
The Laramie Project was transformed into a film by HBO in 2001. It featured performances by Christina Ricci, Steve Buscemi, Peter Fonda, Janeane Garofalo, Dylan Baker, Amy Madigan, among others.
Bibliography and Further Reading
Sources
Brustein, Robert, "The Staged Documentary," in the New Republic, Vol. 222, No. 25, June 19, 2000, pp. 29–30.
Gluck, Victor, Review of The Laramie Project, in Back Stage, Vol. 41, No. 22, June 2–8, 2000, p. 56.
Helbig, Jack, Review of The Laramie Project, in the Booklist, Vol. 98, No. 1, September 1, 2001, pp. 43–44.
Kaufman, Ed, Review of The Laramie Project, in Hollywood Reporter, Vol. 373, June 11–17, 2002, p. 22.
Kaufman, Moisés, and the members of Tectonic Theater Project, The Laramie Project, Vintage Books, 2001.
Lloyd, Emily, "The Laramie Project: A Play," in School Library Journal, Vol. 47, No. 11, November 2001, p. 194.
Mason, M. S., "Laramie Project Connects Stage to Social Ills," in the Christian Science Monitor, March 31, 2000, p. 19.
Miller, Howard, Review of The Laramie Project: A Play, in Library Journal, Vol. 126, No. 14, September 1, 2001, p. 179.
Pochoda, Elizabeth, "The Talk in Laramie," in the Nation, Vol. 270, No. 24, June 19, 2000, pp. 33–34.
Shewey, Don, "Town in a Mirror," in American Theatre, Vol. 17, No. 5, May–June 2000, pp. 14–22.
Zoglin, Richard, "Voices from Laramie," in Time, Vol. 155, No. 19, May 8, 2000, p. 86.
Further Reading
Clum, John M., Acting Gay, Columbia University Press, 1992.
Clum explores twentieth-century American and British theatrical works that feature gay men, with a focus on plays by Noel Coward, Arthur Miller, Tennessee Williams, Edward Albee, Harold Pinter, and Peter Shaffer.
Helminiak, Daniel A., What the Bible Really Says about Homosexuality, Alamo Square Press, 1994.
Helminiak, a Catholic priest, has meticulously examined the Bible for references related to homosexuality. His book presents his interpretations and scholarly findings, suggesting the Bible does not condemn homosexuality.
Loffreda, Beth, Losing Matt Shepard, Columbia University Press, 2000.
Loffreda, who arrived at the University of Wyoming post-Matt Shepard's murder, provides both an insider's and outsider's perspective as the advisor of the campus Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Association on the lasting impact of Shepard’s death on the Laramie community.
O’Connor, Sean, Straight Acting: Popular Gay Drama from Wilde to Rattigan, Cassell, 1998.
O’Connor analyzes the influence of Oscar Wilde's plays and lifestyle on subsequent playwrights, guiding readers from late nineteenth-century dramas to those of the 1960s.
Perry, Barbara, In the Name of Hate: Understanding Hate Crimes, Routledge, 2001.
Perry offers a historical overview of hate crimes and evaluates them as symptoms not only of hatred but also of societal inequalities and fear of the unfamiliar.
Swigonski, Mary E., From Hate Crimes to Human Rights: A Tribute to Matthew Shepard, Haworth Social Work Practice Press, 2001.
Swigonski and other scholars shed light on the journey from hate crimes to legislative efforts that aim to bring justice to victims.
