Tuesday, April 7, 2009

The alleged murderer of Angie Zapata goes on trial next week

Next week, the alleged murderer of Angie Zapata goes on trial in Weld County.The trial marks the first time that Colorado's gender identity-inclusive hate crimes statute – and in fact any state's hate crimes law – has been applied in the investigation and prosecution of an anti-transgender murder case.

Angie Zapata, an 18-year-old transgender woman, was brutally murdered in Greeley, Colo. on July 17, 2008 because of anti-transgender violence. Allen Ray Andrade, 31, has admitted to police that he and Angie met online, they went on a date and he viciously beat her to death with a fire extinguisher.

As the trial starts, GLAAD will be working to start a vital conversation about the pervasive problem of hate crimes. Tomorrow, newspaper and online ads featuring Angie's surviving family members will begin running throughout Colorado. The ads, which are being paid for by ProgressNow Colorado, are co-sponsored by 50 Colorado organizations dedicated to giving voice to all Coloradans.

The ads will link to a specially created website that will give trial updates and give visitors a chance to learn more about Angie, her family, and transgender people through links to specially created Facebook, MySpace and Twitter pages. The website also features a video explaining Angie's life and what the loss means to her family and friends. Take a look.