Eric Marcus

In the aftermath of Stonewall, a newly politicized Vito Russo found his voice as a gay activist and critic of LGBTQ+ representation in the media. He went on to write "The Celluloid Closet", the first book to critique Hollywood's portrayals of gays on screen. During the AIDS crisis in the 1980s, Vito became a passionate advocate for justice via the newly formed ACT UP, before his death in 1990.

Twenty-five years ago, Matthew Shepard was tied to a fence and beaten. Days later, the unthinkable happened and his death sparked a national outcry for hate crimes protections. Today, his story is a dark reminder that the fight against hate continues.