This story sort of throws cold water on the Matthew Shepard as a saint movement. Of course gays who chose to see him so will just ignore this information.
Yes --- Shepard apparently was just a gay hooker --- trading drugs for sex. Female prostitutes also don't usually live very long and die from violence -- why should gay prostitutes believe that lifestyle should be made completely safe for them?
Actually, it's worse. There's an email movement afoot to pressure 20/20 into NOT airing this episode. I have lots of good hearted but stupid art-school lib pals who've forwarded me this urgent email regarding the interview. The basic gyst is: Matt Shepard's parents are suffering ENOUGH--why add to their pain by allowing these animals to discuss THEIR side of it.
I think the originators of this email KNOW what this interview could do to their martyr. If anyone wants to see a copy of the email, I'll gladly dig it up (if I still have it) and post it somewhere.