The Laramie Project

In “Live and Let Live” we meet Jedadiah Schultz again. Influenced by his religious upbringing, he doesn’t think that God would approve of homosexuality but doesn’t hate gay people. Conrad Miller, on the other hand, is explicit in his condemnation of homosexuality and has explained to his children why it’s wrong. Murdoch Cooper asserts that there are more gay people in Laramie than you might think, but that they usually know who to talk to and who to avoid. In his eyes, the possibility that Matthew made a pass at Aaron and Russell makes him equally responsible for what happened to him. He finds this comforting. Zackie Salmon, a lesbian, is concerned for her safety and feels that it’s not possible to be openly gay in Laramie. Jonas Slonaker challenges the value of a “live and let live” approach to LGBT people when he says “If I don’t tell you I’m a fag, you won’t beat the crap out of me. I mean, what’s so great about that? That’s a great philosophy?” (60)

Zubaida Ula recounts her experience at a vigil in “It Happened Here.” She tells us that it felt good to be among people who felt the same way she did, although she also felt guilty for feeling so bad about it.