The Greenbrier Valley theatre joined more than 100 other stages across the world Monday evening to conduct a reading of "The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later."

It was written by the creators of the original "Laramie Project" which dealt with the murder of Matthew Shepherd in Laramie, Wyo.

This piece serves as an epilogue and focuses on the long term effects of Shepherd's murder on the town of Laramie.

Local gay rights activists said events like this help promote awareness of the problems homosexuals face today.

"We've been able to interconnect all the smaller rural communities throughout the state to be able to work on joint projects like house, job discrimination and hate crime laws," said Dr. Coy Flowers.

Nearly 80 people were at the reading at the Greenbrier Valley Theatre.

The performance was held at theaters in every state plus Canada, Great Britain, Spain, Hong Kong and Australia. They all were linked by satellite.