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Dennis And Judy Shepard, PFLAG Parents, Accept Honor At Logo Trailblazer Honors

Logo's Trailblazer Honors celebrate those who have made an impact on the LGBT community through their courage and determination. Among the honorees this year are a group of trailblazing parents who not only embraced their LGBT kids, but set an example for parents everywhere.

Meet them below.

Judy and Dennis Shepard

Since the murder of 22-year-old Matthew Shepard on October 12, 1998, his parents have dedicated their lives to protecting the rights of LGBT people in America and internationally.

Only weeks after Matthew's horrific death, Dennis and Judy started the Matthew Shepard Foundation, which pushes for anti-violence laws while promoting compassion through charity and advocacy.

On October 28, 2009, 11 years after Matthew's death, President Obama signed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which  expanded federal hate-crime statutes to include crimes motivated by a victim's actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity or disability. It also grants $5 million a year to help state and local agencies investigate hate crimes.

Below, Dennis discusses the impact of Matthew's legacy

Judy and Dennis are true champions for human rights—through their tireless advocacy, they have not only preserved their son's legacy forever, but have saved countless lives.

Sheila Lopez

Lopez is the founder of the only PFLAG chapter for the Native American community in Phoenix, Arizona. She is considered one of the leading LGBT advocates in the Southwest, and is inspired by her hope to make the lives of her two gay children better.

Lopez, who is part Navajo, researched the tribe's stance on homosexuality after her teenaged son and daughter both came out to her several years ago. Assuming a negative view, Lopez learned that her culture traditionally preached love and respect for everyone, regardless of sexual orientation. Since then, she has offered support and counseling to Native American parents and LGBT youth.

Marsha Aizumi

[caption id="attachment_208494" align="alignnone" width="537"]manda Marsha with her son Aiden[/caption]

A leading ally for the trans community, Aizumi established the first PFLAG chapter for Asian-Pacific Islanders in California. Devastating by the harassment her son Aiden faced after coming out as trans, Aizumi made it her mission to make school a safer place for LGBT youth, both physically and emotionally.

At the Los Angeles LGBT Center, Aizumi helped created Courageous Conversations, an event for school district officials to become better informed about the adversity facing their LGBT students—and to connect on strategies to combat the bullying and harassment LGBT teens face even today.

Marsha and Aiden also co-wrote a book together, Two Spirits, One Heart: A Mother, Her Transgender Son and Their Journey to Love and Acceptance.

Below, mother and son discuss their relationship.


Below, Judy and Dennis accept their award at the ceremony, held on Thursday.

Watch the Trailblazer Honors on Saturday, June 27, at 8pm on Logo.

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