Several prominent activists in the Iowa State gay and lesbian communities spoke out Thursday night against the hatred and intolerance that contributed to the death of Matthew Shepard.

Shepard, 21, an openly gay University of Wyoming student, died last Monday after being beaten and tied to a split-rail fence, where he was discovered 18 hours after the attack.

More than 300 candles were passed out at a candlelight vigil held south of the Campanile. Many more supporters showed up to pay their respects to Shepard and to listen to the speakers.

Jeff Sorenson, staff adviser to the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Ally Alliance, compared Shepard’s murder to other recent hate crimes, including the death of African-American James Byrd Jr. in Texas last summer.

Sorenson did offer a message of hope, however.

“Matthew Shepard is gone, but not before he left us hope,” he said.

Houston Dougharty, associate dean of students and adviser for Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Support Services, spoke of the haunting parallels between Laramie, Wyo., and Ames.

“Matthew Shepard was known for his smile, and he wanted people to like him, not unlike many Iowa State students,” he said.

He noted that both Laramie and Ames are small communities with land-grant universities.

“That, I hope with all my heart, is where the parallels end,” he said. “Homophobia is alive and well at Iowa State and Ames and Iowa.”

Carolyn Cutrona, professor of psychology, was visibly shaken when she addressed the crowd. Cutrona said she is frightened for the safety of her lesbian daughter.

“As a parent, I feel tremendous grief for Matthew Shepard’s family,” she said, adding that even though she fears for her daughter’s safety, she does not want to “hide her away.”

“I’m not ashamed of my daughter; I’m very proud of her,” Cutrona said. “She is already a fine and beautiful person, just like Matthew was — it’s the world that is twisted in its beliefs.”

Thomas Hill, vice president for Student Affairs, delivered a prepared statement from President Martin Jischke, who was unable to attend the vigil.

“The recent tragedy served as a wake-up call for all of us — just how far we still have to go to create a community in which all human life is … respected,” he said.

Steve Sabin, pastor of Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 913 Carroll Ave., shared his views on the tragedy.

Sabin was asked to resign as pastor by an Evangelical Lutheran Church in America committee because of his involvement in an openly gay relationship.

Sabin shared a story from the Bible about how Jesus still mourned the death of his friend Lazarus, even though the other people were shunning him.

“It’s the way of the world — people get ostracized. Somebody says they don’t really matter,” Sabin said. He urged the audience not to accept the tragedy surrounding Shepard’s death.

“People will be shocked we’re not … shrugging our shoulders,” he said. “That will start to shake up the world. [It is time] not to shrug and wipe a tear, but instead to take strength,” Sabin said.

The last speaker was Angie Chipman, president of LGBTAA and junior in education and psychology. She told the crowd that when she became president of LGBTAA, she made a promise to herself to do everything within her power to “make this world a better place.”

“I can’t help but feel that I failed a little,” a shaken Chipman said. “I know two things: one is I will not stop in my fight, and two, I’m sorry to Matt, his family — sorry to everyone.”