The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, today issued statements on the guilty verdict in the trial of Allen Ray Andrade, who brutally murdered Angie Zapata in Greeley, Colorado. Andrade was convicted of first-degree murder and a hate crime in the case. “We owe the jury a debt of gratitude for seeing through the shameful ‘trans panic’ defense which attempted to blame the victim for this heinous crime," said HRC President Joe Solmonese. “The murder of Angie Zapata, just 18-years-old, is a tragic reminder of the hate and ignorance that threatens the transgender community every day. While these cases are far too common, we applaud Weld County District Attorney Ken Buck and his office for pursing the hate crime in a case where the crime was clearly directed not just at the victim, but at an entire community."
“As a transgender woman, I am grateful that Angie’s killer has been brought to justice. I hope that today’s verdict brings a degree of closure to Angie’s family, who were devastated that someone who was such an integral part of their lives is gone. The sheer brutality of Angie's murder—the way her killer viewed her as less than human simply because of her gender identity and expression—highlights our community's desperate need for hate crimes protection,” said Allyson Robinson, HRC Associate Director of Diversity.
1 comments:
I am glad that he was found guilty. I was shocked and ashamed to hear of such a travesty and have been following this through the trial. I am very straight but have a fundamental belief that ALL People have a right to live their lives by their terms as long as they are not hurting anyone. I cannot figure out how a person who was born physically one way but spiritually another is a harm. I know the Mayor of Silverton Oregon who is transgender. He continues to keep his male name "Stu", but has had breast augmentation and can walk better in four inch heels than I could hope to. Oh yeah, he also happens to be one of the most intelligent people I know and has given back to the communities and non profits when ever called upon.
Angie is with God and is smiling that her death was not in vain. Her death has proven that it is not okay to terminate a persons life just because they are different. By her pictures, she was a beautiful young women with a lot of promise. Such a shame this had to happen to bring forward a subject people likely would not have talked about otherwise. However Martin Luther King Jr. had died because he was different and walked against the current for what he believed in.
Andrade will get to explore all of his bi curiosity now for a very long time!
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