San Diego Remembers

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San Diego Remembers A Non Profit Dedicated to Equality For All

During the run up to the Nov 8, 2008 election Benny Cartwright and Ricky Cervantes took some time out of campaigning against Prop 8 to remember the life of Matthew Shepard on the 10th anniversary of his death, Oct 12, 2008. The following year they invited more of the community to join them in remembering not only the life of Matthew Shepard but all of our struggles against hate and intolerance. Inspired by the turn out of 40 or so community they put the call out to gather more like minded individuals to create something larger. In August of 2010 those that answered the call sat down to start the planning process in what was to become San Diego Remembers Matthew Shepard. It wasn't only just an event to remember the Matthew, but also an event to reflect all those we lost in the past to hate and especially those youth who had recently taken their own lives in light of homophobic bulling. With the larger than we expected community turned we have decided that San Diego Remembers should continue working towards equality and life free of fear and hate for all.

🕯️ We will never forget him!
10/13/2025

🕯️ We will never forget him!

On the evening of October 6, 1998 , Matthew Shepard visited the Fireside Lounge and the events that followed led to his death in one of the most infamous LGBTQ+ hate crimes in American history. Matthew died on October 12 at 12:53 a.m. at Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins, Colorado with his family by his side.

In honor of his legacy, we hold space on this day for reflection and remembrance.

🕯️ We continue to remember! Community members gathered this evening to commemorate the 27-years that have passed since M...
10/13/2025

🕯️ We continue to remember! Community members gathered this evening to commemorate the 27-years that have passed since Matthew Shepard died on Oct. 12, 1998, due to hate violence. We continue to remember, reflect, and speak out against all forms of hate!

10/12/2025
10/17/2024

Eye test 👀 What do you see?

today is the 26th anniversary of the death of Matthew Shepard
10/12/2024

today is the 26th anniversary of the death of Matthew Shepard

💜 Join us this Saturday, Oct. 12, at noon at the John Robert Wear Hate Crimes Memorial Plaque for a brief wreath laying ...
10/11/2024

💜 Join us this Saturday, Oct. 12, at noon at the John Robert Wear Hate Crimes Memorial Plaque for a brief wreath laying ceremony to remember the 26-years that have passed this Matthew Shepard’s death. We continue to stand against hate crimes every single day!

We will also lay a flower in honor of our longtime friend Iggy Ramos who recently lost his life, far too soon. Iggy gave many years of his time and energy volunteering on the San Diego Remembers committee and we will never forget him!

Click on this link to register. https://vote.orgPlease register today.
08/11/2024

Click on this link to register. https://vote.org
Please register today.

🕯️ Every year on December 13, community members gather around the John Wear Memorial Hate Crimes Plaque in to remember...
12/09/2023

🕯️ Every year on December 13, community members gather around the John Wear Memorial Hate Crimes Plaque in to remember the life of John Wear, a 17-year-old young man who murdered in the neighborhood in 1991 because he was perceived to be gay.

Wear, a Del Cerro resident and student at Twain Junior-Senior High School, was enjoying an evening out in Hillcrest with friends on Dec. 13, 1991, when they were brutally attacked on Essex Street. Wear was not gay but anti-gay epithets were shouted at the boys during the attack so it is believed to be an anti-gay hate crime.

Community members rallied following the murder and created a citizens patrol and installed the plaque in 1992 to remember Wear’s life but also to serve as a reminder of the terrible effects of hate.

Members of the San Diego Remembers have taken over care of the plaque since about 2013 and continue to host remembrances every year.

Everyone is welcome to join around the plaque at 6 pm on Wednesday, Dec. 13 for a brief remembrance and candle lighting.

Contact for more information.

🗓️ Wednesday, Dec. 13
⏰ 6-6:30 pm
📍 John Wear Plaque, in front of 1029 University Ave. (Next to )

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1029 University Avenue (On Sidewalk)
San Diego, CA
92103

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