The Center responds to Angie Zapata verdict

The Center has issued the following response to yesterday's verdict in the Angie Zapata case:

After deliberating for just two hours, a Weld County jury today found Allen Ray Andrade guilty of first-degree murder and guilty of a bias-motivated crime in the murder of Angie Zapata of Greeley.

A full courthouse of family, friends and supporters heard the guilty verdicts in all four charges against Andrade, which also included felony motor vehicle theft and felony identity theft.

"This is a landmark decision. And this is the best result we could have ever expected," said Mindy Barton, legal director for the GLBT Community Center of Colorado.


"Being in the courtroom for a week of evidence and being called back for a verdict after only two hours of deliberation . . . and then hearing the verdict of guilty of first-degree murder and guilty of a bias-motivated crime was a hugely emotional experience for the family, friends and all supporters of Angie. She will not be forgotten," Barton said.

During sentencing, Angie's mother Maria Zapata gave a victim impact statement to Judge Marcelo Kopcow.

She identified herself as her "baby's Mom" and thanked the judge.

"This has been so hard, so hard on my family. I lost somebody so precious," Maria said. "He (Andrade) took my baby away from me. It was such a selfish act. But he can never take away the love and the memories me and my children will have."

Kopcow sentenced Andrade to life in prison with no possibility of parole on the first-degree murder conviction. Sentencing on the remaining charges, which could add an additional 60 years to the sentence, will take place in May.

In a press conference with reporters after the sentencing, Weld County District Attorney Ken Buck said he didn't know if this decision would encourage other states to adopt hate crime laws for sexual orientation and gender identity, but that he "hopes that others will see the law in a similar way."

"If someone acts to put fear into a particular group . . . I believe it's a crime that deserves more punishment and a higher degree of prosecution," Buck said.

Carlos Martinez, executive director of The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center of Colorado, in responding to the verdict, said, "The fact that this was charged as a hate crime was a victory in and of itself. The jury finding the defendant guilty of first degree murder and a hate crime says intolerance toward the GLBT community will not stand in Colorado."



GLAAD responds to Angie Zapata verdict

GLAAD issued the following response to the Angie Zapata verdict yesterday:

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) today responded to the verdict in the murder case of Angie Zapata. Angie was a transgender woman who was brutally murdered in 2008. Today the Colorado jury found Allen Andrade guilty on four counts including first-degree murder and hate crime charges.

"Today's verdict was about justice for Angie Zapata, although no verdict will ever be able to heal the tragic loss experienced by Angie's family," said Neil G. Giuliano, President of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD). 

"The past few months have offered Greeley residents, as well as people throughout Colorado and across the nation, an opportunity to better understand transgender lives and the horrifying reality of anti-transgender violence. Media coverage of this case has played a vital role in broadening that understanding, and it has helped more people understand the importance of a fully inclusive hate crime law like Colorado's."

GLAAD Media Field Strategist Adam Bass has been on the ground throughout the trial in Greeley, Colo., assisting state and local LGBT leaders including the Colorado Anti-Violence Program, the Gender Identity Center of Colorado, and the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center of Colorado in providing resources to media outlets covering the trial. GLAAD was also on the ground following the murder to ensure fair and accurate media coverage and focus media attention on anti-transgender violence.




COAVP responds to Angie Zapata verdict

The Colorado Anti-Violence Program issued the following response to the guilty verdict in the Angie Zapata Murder case:

The verdict today brings us mixed emotions. We are reminded that we have lost yet another young member of our community to hate. The fact that Angie's killer was found guilty of first degree murder and a bias motivated crime shows that this murder was taken seriously. This verdict sends the message that violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people is unacceptable. We applaud the Weld County District Attorney for making Colorado a leader in showing that violence against the LGBTQ community will not be tolerated.

We must not leave today thinking that this is an isolated incident or that our work is done. In 2008 alone, there were at least 19 reported anti-LGBTQ murders in the United States. We remember Lawrence King, Duanna Johnson, Latiesha Green, Sanesha Stewart and Simmie Williams Jr.


Since the time of Angie's murder, we at the Colorado Anti-Violence Program and many others have witnessed the mourning of the Zapata family, the Greeley community, the transgender community and the greater lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer and ally communities. We have also witnessed incredible perseverance, strength and love unite people as they began to organize to raise awareness and educate others to prevent this from happening again.

Fear, misunderstanding or hatred of LGBTQ people does not justify violence. It takes incredible courage to be who we are in a world that makes us invisible, forces us to hide, and condones violence against us. Angie was not only a loving daughter, sister, aunt and friend but a beautiful young woman courageous enough to be herself.

Throughout this trial we've heard many myths about transgender people including attempts to blame Angie for her own murder. We witnessed the defense continually focus on the behavior of the murder victim, rather than on the violent actions of her killer. The fact is that transgender people are faced with a Catch 22. Being out about one's transgender status often means experiencing a tremendous amount of violence, the blame for which is often placed on the individual for being out. However, not speaking about ones transgender identity often means being stereotyped as deceptive and yet again, blamed for the violence that one experiences.

Implicit throughout this trial was the dangerous assumption that outing oneself as transgender guarantees safety. On the contrary, in some instances, outing can increase the risk of violence. Many transgender people struggle to know when and how to talk about their bodies and gender. This can be extremely difficult and scary to decide when and with whom to have this conversation. CAVP and NCAVP stand by the truth that the right to live free from violence is not conditional. It is a right granted to all of us regardless of whether or not we identify with the gender we were assigned at birth.

Ultimately, this is a human rights issue. Transgender people, like all people, have a right to self-determination, safety and respect. We call on our lawmakers to pass legislation that funds restorative and transformative justice, victim's rights and accountability programs for offenders as well as community-based prevention initiatives and public education that works to counter the stereotypes and misinformation at the root of hate violence. We call on the people of Colorado and the rest of the country to stand up, speak out, and organize to create safer communities where we are all free to live our lives without the fear of violence.



Guilty verdict in Angie Zapata trial a benefit to the GLBT community

In response to the guilty verdict in the trial of Angie Zapata's murder, here is what Out Front Colorado editor and trans-activist Matt Kailey had to say:

The jury's first-degree murder finding, along with the hate-crime finding, in the murder of Angie Zapata by Allen Ray Andrade has demonstrated that defenses such as "trans panic" and "gay panic" have no basis in reality and that the lives of GLBT people are just as valuable as any other life.

This trial has been monitored across the country, and this historic verdict will serve as a lesson for anyone who believes that GLBT people are less important or less "human" than others and that their mere existence is justification for attack.

Everyone in the GLBT community will benefit from this verdict. Today, justice has been served and, amid the pain and loss that the Zapata family has had to endure, hope for our community has emerged.

A tribute to Angie Zapata

Guilty verdict in Angie Zapata murder case

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.

Jared Polis: Why hate crime legislation is important

The death of Colorado transgender teenager Angie Zapata is an urgent reminder of the need for Congress to pass a federal hate-crimes statute, writes out U.S. Rep. Jared Polis, D-Colo., a co-sponsor of the bill.

"People from all over the country were appalled a decade ago when gay student Matthew Shepard was beaten to death in Wyoming," Polis writes. "We should be even more appalled that in those 10 years, our nation has failed to adopt a federal hate-crimes bill."

Check out Justice for Angie on Twitter

The fine folks at Pam's House Blend have a Justice for Angie Twitter up and running with up-to-the-minute coverage of the Angie Zapata murder trial. Check it out and, if you're in the neighborhood, stop by to show your support for Angie and her family and friends.

Jury selection begins tomorrow in Angie Zapata murder trial

The trial for the July 2008 murder of Angie Zapata is currently scheduled for 9 days, April 14-24. Jury selection will begin on Tuesday, April 14 and is anticipated to take more than one day. The trial will take place in Courtroom 11 of the Weld County Courts at 901 9th Ave in Greeley. It would be nice to provide as much community support to Angie Zapata's family and friends as possible by having community members in attendance so please come by if you can. If there are more people than seats in the courtroom, a lottery system will be used to allow people into court in a fair way, giving priority to family members. Buttons, t-shirts, etc with photos of Angie will not be allowed in the courtroom.

There has already been media coverage about this case, some better than others. If you see any transphobic or homophobic language in any coverage, please write letters to the editor, comment in the blog section of news websites, etc.

If you are interested in coordinating rides to the trial in Greeley (either offering or needing a ride), please contact Kate Bowman at 303-202-6466 (work), 303-798-0790 (cell) or at kate@kwbowman.com.

If you are interested in providing food/snacks/water for the Zapata family or community members attending the trial, please contact Andy Stoll at the Lambda Community Center 970-221-3247 or andy@lambdacenter.org.

For more information, check out:
AngieZapata.com
Colorado Independent
DPL Health Radio - Interview with Crystal Middlestadt from the Colorado Anti-Violence Program

- via CAVP

Angie Zapata/Transgender Education campaign launched today

A print and online advertising campaign was launched today throughout the state of Colorado to educate residents about the life and death of a Colorado transgender woman, Angie Zapata, who was brutally murdered in July 2008 because of anti-transgender bias. Her alleged killer goes on trial next Tuesday in Greeley, Colo. The campaign also informs about the importance of Colorado's hate crime law and the need for a federal hate crime law that includes sexual orientation and gender identity.

Read more after the jump.


The full-page print ads run today in 22 newspapers throughout the state. In addition, an aggressive online advertising campaign through Google also is being launched today. The campaign is sponsored by 50 Colorado non-profit organizations dedicated to giving a voice to all of the state's residents. The ads link to a specially created Web site, www.AngieZapata.com, which gives further information about Angie, what it means to be transgender and the importance of hate crime statutes. There are also links on the Web site to Facebook, MySpace and Twitter pages created so that viewers have a forum to reflect, share and discuss the various issues.

The trial marks the first time that Colorado's transgender-inclusive hate crime statute - and in fact any state's hate crime law - has been applied in the investigation and prosecution of an anti-transgender murder case. Currently, federal law does not include sexual orientation or gender identity as part of the hate crime statute. On Thursday of last week, the Matthew Shepard Act was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. When passed by Congress, President Obama has pledged to sign such a bill.
"The strong support of state organizations recognizing the importance of this trial has been overwhelming," said Carlos Martinez, executive director of The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center of Colorado. "We are grateful for such diverse support of Angie's family and friends during this sad time."

The ad today runs in the following newspapers: Pueblo Chieftain; Durango Herald; Grand Junction Sentinel; Colorado Springs Gazette; Aurora Sentinel Daily and Weekender; Buckley Guardian; Arvada Press; Lakewood Sentinel; Golden Transcript; Wheat Ridge Transcript; Westminster Window; Northglenn/Thornton Sentinel; Westsider; Thornton Frontier; Littleton Independent; Englewood Herald; Highlands Ranch Herald; Lone Tree Voice; Centennial Citizen; Douglas County News-Press; Castle Rock News-Press; and the Parker Chronicle.



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.

GLAAd call to action against Trevor Carey of 'AM Colorado with Trevor, Troy and George'

In a disturbing diatribe on KNUS radio on March 14, host Trevor Carey engaged in a conversation with a caller in which both men condoned violence against transgender people, blaming slain Greeley, Colo. resident Angie Zapata, an 18-year-old transgender woman, for her own brutal murder.

(Transcript from Colorado Media Matters):


CAREY: And what the transgender segment of our society needs to be telling their type is, you don't commit fraud because –

CALLER: No, that's exactly what it was.

CAREY: A), you're at least gonna get your teeth kicked in, and B) – [caller laughs] – here's a story from Greeley that turned out very tragic, and you should pay attention to this, because –

CALLER: You know, when I was growin' up in Greeley, I grew up in Greeley, that kind of stuff didn't ever, you know, surface in this town. And it's just sad, you know; my heart just weeps for all, everybody that's concerned. But, you know, we gotta go back to basics. You're a man or you're a woman, and, like you said, if you're fraudin' somebody, then you deserve to have your teeth kicked in. Not necessarily hung or you're killed, but it just – they shoulda known better, you know?

Carey sustained his gratuitously defamatory tone throughout the entire show, and his remarks during the segment – including a false representation of a conversation with a GLAAD representative – make it clear that his references to Angie and her tragic murder will continue to be disrespectful, abusive and inaccurate. The transcript and audio for the program can be found on the Colorado Media Matters website.

Carey owes the family of Angie Zapata, the transgender community and all Coloradans an apology for condoning and promoting the very hostile climate that puts transgender people in harm's way and then blames them for the resulting acts of violence committed against themPlease contact Trevor Carey and ask him to disavow his remarks that condone violence against transgender people. Call on KFKA and KNUS to hold Carey accountable for his remarks and establish clear standards to ensure their media platforms will not be used to condone or promote violence towards any parts of the communities they serve.

Please forward this link to any of your friends and others who may also wish to take action. When contacting KFKA and KNUS, please ensure that your emails and phone calls are civil and respectful and do not engage in the kind of name calling or abusive behavior that we are expressing our concerns about.

Trevor Carey
Host, KNUS, "Trevor Carey" and KFKA, "AM Colorado with Trevor, Troy and George"
Phone:Â (720) 434-2714
trevorcareywork@aol.com

Justin Sasso
General Manager, KFKA
Phone: (970) 356-1310
justin@1310kfka.com

Kelly Michaels
Operations Director, Salem Communications (KNUS)
Phone: (303) 750-5687
kelly@salemdenver.com

Support justice for Angie Zapata

The Colorado Anti-Violence Program would like to invite you to get involved as well as find support as they prepare for the murder trial of Allen Ray Andrade. Andrade is charged with the murder of Angie Zapata, a young Latina transgender woman. There are many opportunities from joining carpooling efforts during the trial to writing letters to the editor. COAVP hope you will find something that's right for you.

Find out ways to get involved after the jump.


Join the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation's (GLAAD)
Rapid Response Team. A Media Essentials training will be scheduled soon for the last full week of March. GLAAD's regional representative will send out more information soon. Contact CAVP if you'd like to be notified. E-mail CAVP
Write letters to editor of local and national papers during trial coverage.
Offer carpool rides from Denver to Greeley Courthouse during the trial

The eight day trial of Andrade will begin on April 14, 2009 and takes place in Courtroom 11 of the Weld County Courts at 901 9th Ave in Greeley. We would like to provide as much community support to Angie Zapata's family and friends as possible by packing the courthouse during those days.
If you are need a ride or would like to offer a ride to Greeley from the Denver-Metro area, please contact Kate Bowman at 303-202-6466 (work), 303-798-0790 (cell) or by e-mail.
Donate and/or prepare healthy snacks, food and drinks for community members attending the trial

Contact Andy Stoll at the Lambda Community Center 970-221-3247 or by e-mail if you would like to make a donation..
Join the Colorado Anti-Violence Program for evenings of discussion, meditation and dinner
In an effort to support our community members in maintaining a positive and healthy emotional and mental space around the trial, CAVP will be hosting two evenings of discussion, meditation and dinner. Discussion will be facilitated by CAVP staff and meditation by Marti Engelmann.
March 18th from 6-8:30 pm
April 7th from 6-8:30 pm
Dinner provided March 18th.
April 7th, please bring a potluck dish if you plan to attend
For more info or to RSVP contact Crystal Middlestadt at 303-839-5204 or by e-mail.
We encourage you to participate if you are even slightly considering attending any trial dates, you would like to find other ways to support people going to the trial or you have an interest in participating in creating this type of space regardless of your involvement with this case.



Support meetings for the family of Angie Zapata

Discussion, mediation, and dinner will be featured at two meetings on March 18 and April 7, 6 - 8:30 p.m., in preparation for people interested in providing moral support to the surviving family and friends of Angie Zapata at the upcoming trial of Allen Ray Andrade, who is charged with brutally murdering Zapata when Andrade found out Zapata was transgender.

Sponsored by the nonprofit Colorado Anti Violence Program (CAVP), the discussion will be facilitated by CAVP staff at the CAVP office in Denver. The two gatherings are free and open to the public. Please RSVP (include dietary restrictions, if any) via email to crystal@coavp.org.

- via LaGente Unida Newsletter

Murder in Greeley: Why Angie Zapata matters

When a defense attorney says that a smile is an act of provocation sufficient to cause someone to respond with murder, we’re all in trouble.

Angie Zapata is still still in the news, and what happens is just as important to gay men as it is to the trans population.

The trans-panic defense is no different from the gay-panic defense.

If you’ve ever smiled at a straight guy – or had sex with one – then you need to keep your eye on this case.

Murder in Greeley: Public Defender says Angie Zapata guilty of "provoking" her own death

"At best, this is a case about passion. When (Angie Zapata) smiled at him, this was a highly provoking act, and it would cause someone to have an aggressive reaction," the Denver Post quoted defense attorney Annette Kundelius as saying at a preliminary hearing for Allan Andrade.

Andrade is accused of brutally murdering Angie Zapata upon finding out after sex that she was transgendered.

Wow. I'm almost speechless.

Kundelius actually said, "At best, this is a case about passion."

At best?

I don't think so.

Angie was a human being whose life was cut short for no good reason.

This is not a case about passion.

This is a case about murder, and some pathetic trans-panic defense is just not gonna cut it this time.

Shame on Annette Kundelius.

Murder in Greeley: Remembering Angie

Please take a moment to share your thoughts with Angie's family and friends, and then share the Angie Zapata Memorial with others who might care about a tragedy that could have happened to any of us.

Murder in Greeley: Angie Zapata Vigil Video

Murder in Greeley: A benefit for the Zapata family

The community is welcome to joing the friends and family of Angie Zapata tonight, Wednesday, August 6 for dinner and dancing at Mustang Lounge, 490 N. Main Street in Brighton. Dinner is $6 per guest and will be served from 4-8 p.m. Stay for dancing from 8-midnight. There will be a raffle throughout the entire night with exciting prizes.

For more information Mindy Barton, Legal Director, The GLBT Community Center of Colorado, (Office) 303-733-7743 Ext 105 or (Mobile) 303-929-6784.

Community members may also support the family by making contributions to Angie Zapata's memorial fund. Contributions may be made at Academy Bank in Wal-Mart, 60 W. Bromley Lane, Brighton or checks made payable to Monica Murquia may be mailed to CAVP at P.O. Box 181085, Denver, CO 80218.

Murder in Greeley: Vigil for Angie Zapata

A vigil will be held on Saturday, August 9 in honor of Angie Zapata, 18, who was murdered last month in Greeley. The event is being organized to remember Angie and provide a way for those close to her to celebrate her life. The general public is invited to attend to hear from a wide array of speakers including Angie's family, national transgender activist Donna Rose, and members of other organizations and community groups. The vigil will be held August 9 from 7-9 p.m. at the Garden Theater at the University of Northern Colorado. For more details call the Lambda Community Center at 970221-3247.

Angie Zapata, a young transgender Latina woman, was slain in her Greeley apartment on July 16. Her sister found her body July 17. On July 30, Greeley police arrested Allen Ray Andrade for Angie's murder after they traced Angie's stolen car to him. According to police reports, the two had met on a social networking site and they were on a date when Andrade attacked Angie with a fire extinguisher after discovering she was a transgender woman. On July 31, Andrade was charged with first-degree murder and bias-motivated crime.

"It seemed apparent from the information provided to the public that the factual scenario surrounding the vicious murder of Angie Zapata fell clearly within the language of Colorado's bias-motivated crime statute," said Mindy Barton, Legal Director at The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center of Colorado.

Thirty-two states and the District of Columbia have hate or bias crime laws based on sexual orientation and twelve of those, including the District of Columbia, include protections based on gender identity.

The Colorado legislature amended the "Bias Motivated Crime" law to include "sexual orientation" in 2005. The term "sexual orientation" specifically includes transgender status.

"He didn't see Angie as a person," said Crystal Middlestadt, director of Training and Education for the Colorado Anti-Violence Program. "To treat a vibrant and beautiful human being like this is monstrous."

"The Greeley community along with many others in Colorado are pulling together to send a clear, strong message that this kind of outrageous violence will not be tolerated here. Murder of any kind is wrong," stated Nicole Hurt, Northern Colorado Community Organizer for the Colorado Progressive Coalition. "Murdering someone simply because that person is different is devastating. We are saddened and angry that this type of hate exists in our community. Angie was only 18 years old. She had a bright future ahead of her and was torn down before she ever got to live it. She was far too young die."