The memorial service at the National Cathedral was streamed live on Facebook, and I happened to catch most of it. It ran very long - likely over 2 hours - with lots of music, and my Ipad battery gave out after a couple hours. Learned later that the actual placement of the ashes was not at that ceremony, but a private one later.

I was touched by Matthew's father's eulogy, but was in tears along with Bishop Gene Robinson, as he talked about this being a young man of faith. I don't think I've ever been so proud of being an Episcopalian as during this. I'm not gay, or a parent, or a sibling, but felt strongly during this service that Matthew was a part of my church family, and his death makes me think of all the beloved friends I have who are in the categories subject to the same kind of irrational and bigoted hate that lead to Matthew's death. I fear for trans youth, in particular, struggling to come of age and come into themselves.

In some ways it was also a memorial to the days gone by when acceptance of others' difference was becoming the norm, as we now face the days when hate is becoming the new normal in so many places. I hope Matthew's final resting place is in a location that 45 has to pass any time he visits the National Cathedral when he's pretending to be a Christian.

Joanne in Cleveland