Standing on Higher Ground

The Eychaner Foundation is proud to sponsor Standing on Higher Ground, a residency project hosted by the University of Northern Iowa's Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center.

In an effort to improve campus life for students, staff and faculty, the University of Northern Iowa is hosting a series of events in September and October called "Standing on Higher Ground: LGBT Dialogue & Reflection around Civility". The events include award-winning LGBT-themed movies, panel discussions and a lecture by Judy Shepard.

The Rainbow Reception
September 1, 7:00 - 9:00 pm 
The Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center (GBPAC) Lobby, UNI
The Rainbow Reception is an event to welcome LGBT and ally students, faculty and staff back to campus. Join us for an evening of information sharing, networking, fellowship, and dessert.

Movie: The Laramie Project
September 13, 5:00 - 7:00 pm
University Book & Supply, Cedar Falls
Moisés Kaufman and members of New York's Tectonic Theater Project went to Laramie, Wyoming, after the murder of Matthew Shepard. This is a film version of the play they wrote based on more than 200 interviews they conducted in Laramie. It mixes real news reports with actors portraying friends, family, cops, killers, and other Laramie residents in their own words. It opened the 2002 Sundance Film Festival and was nominated for four Emmys.

Lecture: Judy Shepard
September 16, 7:30 pm
GBPAC, UNI
Free for UNI students
In October 1998, Judy and Dennis Shepard lost their 21-year-old son Matthew to a murder motivated by anti-gay hate. Determined to prevent others from suffering their son’s fate, Judy and Dennis decided to turn their grief into action and established the Matthew Shepard Foundation to carry on Matthew’s legacy. In her continuing role as board president, she travels across the nation speaking to audiences about what they can do as individuals and communities to make this world a more accepting place for everyone, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, sex, gender identity and expression, or sexual orientation. Speaking from a mother’s perspective, Judy also authored a 2009 memoir, “The Meaning of Matthew.”

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