Image: http://media.townhall.com/Townhall/reu/d/2008/284/abd97715-4a3d-496c-b427-516eea5bffa2@news.ap.org.jpg The Associated Press Laramie WY USA Image: http://media.townhall.com/townhall/spacer.gif 1 of 301 Image: http://media.townhall.com/townhall/spacer.gif (http://townhall.com/photos/view/most_viewed/1018//fe5c2c41-7348-4a7f-8544-ffb646e60640/) A cross constructed of rocks marks the spot along a buck fence east of Laramie, Wyo., in this March 24, 1999 file photo where, on Oct. 7, 1998, University of Wyoming gay college student Matthew Shepard was beaten and left for dead. In the 10 years since, more than 30 states have passed laws addressing bias-related crimes against gays, but gay-rights advocates point to a series of frustrations including the failure of federal hate-crime legislation. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) Matthew Shepard's mother still mourns lost opportunities to battle hate crimes and promote a greater tolerance of gays in the 10 years since her 21-year-old son was beaten, tied to a wooden fence and left for dead in a frigid Wyoming pasture. Though Congress has not passed a federal hate crime law, Judy Shepard is buoyed by enhanced punishments for crimes based on sexual orientation in 31 states and the District of Columbia. "Ten years have gone by and not that much has changed, and I think that's just really disappointing," said Shepard, who with her husband formed the Matthew Shepard Foundation to promote equality f ...
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