A Death That Revealed the World’s Concealed View on Homosexuality The Laramie Project is a play written by Moises Kaufman and the members of Tectonic Theater Project. The play is based on the interviews of the citizens of Laramie about what’s happening in Laramie and their responses to the murder of Matthew. In addition to the various themes suggested by the play, the author wanted to present the varying perspectives toward homosexuality in the Laramie community at the time of Matthew’s death. The author also wanted to explore how these perspectives may have changed as the result of Matthew’s death. Even though the citizens of Laramie persisted that hate is not a value they practice, they still showed contrasting and puzzled views …show more content…

Without asking the permission of the Bishop, Father Schmit organized a Candle vigil because he believes it’s the right thing to do. A vigil in honor of Matthew and for all of those in their community who are in fear because they are homosexuals and labeled as different. Matthew’s death didn’t alter the perspective of those people of who showed extreme hatred towards homosexuals. Reverend Phelps and his people are some of them; until the very end, they still believed that they should rejoice for Matthews’s death. They even protested on Mathew’s funeral. They pointed out that Matthew is burning in hell. Reverend Phelps and his people also used their placards with printed words that says, “God hates Fags”. They went to Laramie believing that Matthew is a sinner, that homosexuality is a sin and left the town with the same mentality. Those people who conveyed live and let live mentality toward homosexuals retained their perspective as well. They were just relieved and thankful that the murderers, Aaron McKinney, and Russel Henderson got what they deserved. They were both sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of getting parole. Finally, Matthew’s murder case was closed. Matt Galloway, the fireside bartender who last saw Matthew before the crime says, “I’m just glad it’s over. I really am” (97). The Matthew Shepard incident gave such an impact to citizens of Laramie, even for those