Ellen~

My 12 yr old daughter watches your show religously and was so moved by Judy Shepard's visit to your show that she told me I needed to go onto your site and get the book information so we can read the story together. I live in WA State and here we are trying to pass Referendum 71 this November.(Referendum 71 is a ballot referendum that asks WA state voters to re-confirm the expansion of domestic partnership rights and obligations in Washington's originally limited domestic partnership legislation. The expansion (SB 5688) was signed by Governor Christine Gregoire on May 18, 2009.

On July 25, 2009, Protect Marriage Washington turned in 137,881 signatures to the Washington Secretary of State's office. 120,577 valid signatures were required to qualify the referendum for the November 2009 ballot. After a complete count of all submitted signatures, 122,007 were officially verified on September 1, 2009.

Several lawsuits were filed to block R-71 from appearing on the ballot, but none were successful in court.)

I remember the TV movie about Matthew and it was hard to watch the hate towards a young gay man...I am happy we have come as far as we have but am reminded there are still parents of children out there who choose to be hateful and therefore pass that onto their children! Thank you for taking the moment at the end of your show to touch that subject with your viewers.

You are an such an inspiration! I am newly in a gay relationship and am happy to have such inspirations to admire such as you and Judy Shepard who show strength in the eyes of adversity!

Again Thank You Ellen!!

~Rashael

Ellen, thank you so much for bringing us this story. I am in Australia and I had never heard of it before as I was only 10 when it happened. I am now 21 and have many gay friends who I love with all my heart. I burst into tears when I watched this episode, and immediately went on the Matthew Shepard website to read and donate. I believe it is a lack of acceptance that is what is tearing our world apart. Judy is a strong and wonderful woman, and I have immense respect for her message and ability to bring that message to world despite the pain her family has been through. Ellen, you are my idol, if only everyone in the world held the same values and morals as you. Thank you for being you!

I HAVE THE BOOK AND I CRIED WHILE I WAS READING THE BOOK. I AM GAY MYSELF AND I GLAD THAT JUDY IS FIGHTING FOR RIGHTS.

I remember when Matthew was killed and how disgusting a crime it was. Were the killers caught? Just wanted to let you know that Melissa Etheridge wrote a song for Matthew which is on her Breakdown album. It's called "Scarecrow." Ellen, you should have her on your show to sing it. It's haunting and makes me think of him everytime I listen to it. I have been teaching young children for many years and have had to deal with the use of the word "gay" for many years now... Children in the first and second grade are using this word to offend the kids they don't like. They're 6 and 7 years old. It has always a passion of mine to erraticate that word, but I have been unsuccessful. It's all up to the parents to teach tolerance and compassion in the home. Parents who don't tolerate teach their children not to tolerate and it's a crying shame. NO ONE deserves what happened to Matthew and others like him... I pray for his mother.
Listen to Melissa's song.
BTW, I'm not gay. I just respect all people no matter who they are and what they believe.

Ellen-
Seeing Matthew's mom on your show today reminded me of my first memory of Laramie Wy- I am from Baltimore. It was 1999, New Years Eve- on the brink of Y2K. I was on the road with my husband's band, Fat Apple. We- Me, the band, and girlfriends, had just rolled into town early, like 7am, in the bus. I remember thinking how idealic it was driving thru the snowy countryside at sunrise- It was so beautiful the landscape. The actual town of Laramie looked like the perfect little western town like something out of a movie. We, the hippie musicians, parked by the railroads tracks. Half stayed to sleep and the rest of us walked into town to hit the cute coffee shop we saw driving in. At the counter was the cutest all american apple pie faced little blonde haired chick ready to take our order. I was so excited to be there and I said- "we just rolled into town and we're paying the Buckhorn tonight. So whats cool to do here? I don't really know anything about it - we all got all day to do stuff- whats cool about HERE?" I will never forget it.........She said-
"Well, you know we killed that Matthew Shepard boy here."
She said it just as cheerful as can be as she handed me my latte. I was chilled by her response. It was as if it were the thing to brag about with regards to the pride of her town. That collective acceptance of non acceptance, and she basically taking credit for it. I walked away shell shocked, scared to death, sick to my stomach, and ready to cry. I was speechless.
I doesn't surprise me that Laramie still hasn't changed it's laws-it is so sad. White light and postive energy to Matthew's Mom for fighting the good fight and I pray that SOON she can relax, having nothing urgent or important to do because acceptance for all in the norm.
Love to you all-
Amelia

Hi im a single mother of 2 beautiful girls.mayliah and destiny.We love your show!!!!!HI ELLEN!I think its aweful what happened to that young man.I was told by my family i would be disowned if i turned gay. I wish it wasnt like this lifes to short to live with hate in your heart ya know.

Ellen-

I also was looking for the bracelet to purchase!

I also had an idea that maybe for the month of October for anyone who made a purchase from the Ellen Shop you would send them a free bracelet =)

I saw the show and found it very moving. I am searching the website and cannot find the information about purchasing the bracelet. Please post it for us. Thanks.

Dear Ellen,

I didn't know about Matthew Sheppard's story before I heard it on your show yesterday. Needless to say that I was totally upset to hear it. I want to congradulated you and his mother for taking this quest of trying to make this world a better world and to try to make people understand that we are all the same with or without our differents. There is good people everywhere. I was amazing to hear that a doe had spend the night beside him until someone came to his rescue. To me it just prove that we have so much to learn from all the animal. I wish sometimes I was only surrounded by animal, they don't judge you, they love you the way you are and give you so much back without asking for a lot.

Thank you Ellen for beiing who you are. You always brighted my day. I truly appreciated you.

Martine Galipeau from Quebec CANADA

I feel for Matthews mother. Good for her for fighting for her boy I would do the same to protect any of the other teens who are victimized by others or are having a hard time coming out. Also I have to commend her for accepting her son no matter what!!!

Wendy
Redmond, OR