#13 Surviving a Hate Crime, with LGBT Activist Matthew Boger

This episode embraces a spirit of acceptance and pride by listening to stories from members of the LGBTQ community. Freedom Writer Teacher Tara Bordeaux talks about overcoming tremendous obstacles and hateful opposition in her journey to becoming the 2018 Texas Teacher of the Year. Then Erin Gruwell shares her conversation with advocate and activist Matthew Boger. After being thrown out of his home at the age of thirteen because of his sexuality, Matthew was savagely beaten by a gang of neo-Nazis and left for dead. Twenty-five years later, Matthew came face-to-face with one of his assailants and ventured down a remarkable path of forgiveness and friendship.

Links and Resources:

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More on Tara Bordeaux:
2018 Texas Teacher of the Year Announcement: https://atxne.ws/2zljGcN
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diYWNTKWr7o

More on Matthew Boger:
Matthew Boger and Tim Zaal on NPR: https://n.pr/2MWSDWW
"Facing Fear" website: http://www.facingfearmovie.com/index.html

Support for LGBTQ Youth:
Trevor Project: https://bit.ly/2u2gC04
Human Rights Campaign: https://www.hrc.org/

Matthew Shepard Foundation: https://www.matthewshepard.org/
Museum of Tolerance website: https://bit.ly/1od4nIB
Texas Teacher of the Year program information: https://www.tasanet.org/domain/59

Become a Freedom Writer Teacher! Attend a Freedom Writer Teacher Institute:
http://www.freedomwritersfoundation.org/index.php/programs/teachers

Buy Signed Copies of Freedom Writers Books
www.freedomwritersfoundation.org/index.php/shop

Watch "Facing Fear" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Xxh3QM