Elton's concert at University of Wyoming's Arena-Auditorium on June 1, 1999 was a benefit to anti-hate organisations. Those organisations include the Matthew Shepard Foundation; University of Wyoming Fund for the Matthew Shepard Chair of Civil Liberties; Southwest Poverty Law Center; and Gay, Lesbian and Straight Educational Network.
Elton has sent a huge floral display to Shepard's funeral in Casper last year. Matthew Shepard was a gay student at University of Wyoming. He was tied to a fence and beaten to death in October 1998. One man was sentenced to life in prison and another is awaiting trial for the murder.
