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Matthew Shepard

Two roses sit on the edge of one of the reflecting pools at the September 11th Memorial following a commemoration ceremony for the victims of the terrorist attacks on September 11th, 2016, in New York City.

When we ask images and monuments to bear the burden of our conscience, we are doomed to repeat the mistakes of the past.

By Patrick Nathan

Two men embrace each other at a vigil for Matthew Shepard at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., on October 14th, 1998, two days after he died. Thousands converged outside the Capitol to call for political action to help stop hate crimes and to draw attention to victims of anti-gay violence.

Shepard's murderer unsuccessfully claimed gay panic, a defense that's still legal in 47 states.

By Emma Sarappo

hoover-fbi

Crimes targeting black and transgender Americans persist, but they are under-reported and under-recorded.

By Lauren Kirchner