Matthew Shepard's parents, Judy and Dennis brought the new documentary, Matt Shepard Is a Friend of Mine, to Russia to participate in the Side by Side LGBT International Film Festival. GLAAD has photos of the photos, provided by the Side by Side festival. Check out our earlier interview with Judy and Dennis here.
The festival seeks to establish a supportive environment where LGBT people are able to affirm and extend their identities. Last year, GLAAD worked with the festival to bring Dustin Lance Black, Bruce Cohen, and Gus Van Sant and their film, MILK, to the festival. GLAAD also honored Side by Side director, Manny de Guerre, with the International Advocate for Change Award at the GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles.
Photos from the St. Petersburg Side by Side LGBT Film Festival by photographer Yulia Zhivolupova.
Photos from the St. Petersburg Side by Side LGBT Film Festival by photographer Roman Melnik.
As they shared with GLAAD before they left, Judy and Dennis were also able to speak to parents of LGBT people in Moscow after the film festival. Moscow photos by Yulia Maligina.
The photos are available for use, with credit given to the photographers.