On the road from Denver to San Francisco we make a stop. This one filled with hope as well as despair. Laramie, Wyoming, is our destination. The location where, on October 7, 1998, a horrible hate crime was committed. A young man named Matthew Shepard was taken to the outskirts of this small town, tied to a split-rail fence, beaten and was left out in the cold of the night to die. This tragedy helped the nation see that hate and discrimination still exist in our neighborhoods, schools, and in ourselves. As a result, many organizations, artists, and community activists have spoken out through music, words, and action to replace hate with understanding, compassion and acceptance. For more information on the life and tragedy of Matthew Shepard go to www.matthewshepard.org.