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Kaufman and his team focus on the motto of Laramie, “live and let live,” to underline how basic tolerance can never remedy hateful bigotry; hatred can only be fought with compassion and acceptance. The decreasing repetition of the motto throughout the play also emphasizes that one must take responsibility for their prejudices before real change can occur.

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On the night the theater company arrives in Laramie, they are greeted by a sign that reads “HATE IS NOT A LARAMIE VALUE.”

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Romaine Patterson reveals that Matthew had found joy in his membership with the LGBT club at school shortly before he was attacked.

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The response to Matthew’s assault creates a division amount the spiritual communities of Laramie, with the Unitarian church coming to Matthew’s defense and support and the more conservative churches defending the word of God as a criticism of homosexuals.

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Dr. Cantway, who oversaw both Matthew and McKinney’s respective treatments in the hospital, explains that he felt great compassion for both boys.

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“We have one of the most vocal populations of gay people in the state...And it’s pretty much: Live and let live” (45). 

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“We have one of the most vocal populations of gay people in the state...And it’s pretty much: Live and let live” (45). 

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Speaker: Sergeant Hing

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Philip Dubois, the president of the University of Wyoming, receives an email explaining that Matthew’s assault was not merely an isolated incident caused by two delinquents; it was the culmination of prejudiced ideals woven into the values of the town and the rest of the country.

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Interviews of local townspeople show that there are still many Laramie residents who blame Matthew for what happened to him or think that the media is blowing the incident out of proportion and giving gays “special treatment.”

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“I mean, these are people trying to distance themselves from this crime. And we need to own this crime. I feel. Everyone needs to own it. We are like this. We ARE like this. WE are like this. WE are LIKE this” (60).

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“I mean, these are people trying to distance themselves from this crime. And we need to own this crime. I feel. Everyone needs to own it. We are like this. We ARE like this. WE are like this. WE are LIKE this” (60).

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Speaker: Zubaida Ula

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Romaine Patterson organizes the Angel Action, in which members of the town blocked the view of the bigots protesting at Matthew’s funeral using the wings on their angel costumes; the demonstration symbolizes the importance of fighting hatred with love.

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Rob Debree explains that, after overseeing Matthew’s case, his views of homosexuality have shifted completely. He has replaced his basic tolerance with acceptance, and explains that he will not tolerate the bigotry that fueled such a gruesome crime.

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Rebecca Hilliker explains that she was grateful when the trial established gay panic as the cause of such violence because it revealed that the truth would no longer be swept under the rug for the sake of maintaining reputations. This was a hate crime and it needed to be said.

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“Good is coming out of evil. People have said enough is enough. I miss my son, but I am proud to be able to say that he is my son” (96). 

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“Good is coming out of evil. People have said enough is enough. I miss my son, but I am proud to be able to say that he is my son” (96). 

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Speaker: Dennis Shepard