In 1998, Matthew Shepard was brutally murdered and fundamentally altered America's view of LGBT people. The film, Matthew Shepard is a Friend of Mine, directed by his high school friend, Michele Josue, tells his story from the perspective of his friends and family.

Matthew's parents sat down with GLAAD before heading to Saint Petersburg, Russia to screen the film at the Side-by-Side LGBT International Film Festival, which is thriving despite Russia's anti-LGBT laws. The festival seeks to establish a supportive environment where LGBT people are able to affirm and extend their identities. Last year, GLAAD worked with the festival to bring Dustin Lance Black, Bruce Cohen, and Gus Van Sant and their film, MILK, to the festival. GLAAD also honored Side by Side director, Manny de Guerre, with the International Advocate for Change Award at the GLAAD Media Awareds in Los Angeles.

The Shepards, Michele, and producer Liam McNiff talked to GLAAD about the film and what sort of impact they hope the film will have in Russia.

To learn more about the film, go to www.mattshepardisafriendofmine.com

To learn more about the Side-By-Side LGBT International Film Festival, go to [ Ссылка ]

For more of GLAAD's videos, go to www.glaad.org/videos

Music: "You Are a Memory (Instrumental)" by Message To Bears
Video: Filmed & edited by Claire Pires

[ Ссылка ] - For more information about GLAAD's work, please visit [ Ссылка ], [ Ссылка ], and [ Ссылка ].

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