Judy Shepard, whose son Matthew was murdered five years ago this Sunday because he was gay, urged the Auraria campus to get involved in the battle against hate crimes.

“Vote,” she told the crowd during her two-hour lecture at the Tivoli Turnhalle Monday afternoon. “Participate in the system to change it,” Shepard said, adding that openness is the key to erasing hate crimes.

“Coming out is not a tragedy,” she said. “It’s a positive evolution.”

Shepard opened her lecture with a short film about hate crimes of all types, including the 1998 murder in Texas of James Byrd Jr., who was dragged to death.

Shepard has been active in support of gay rights since her son died after two men abducted, beat and tied him to a fence on the Wyoming prairie. She told the audience it is critical to get involved. “Find out what politicians are doing for you and to you.”