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.




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.

Greeley cop fired for anti-gay assault

I haven't heard anything about the case of the Greeley cop and his son who attacked a man at a bar because they thought he was 'checking out' the son because the Greeley police department never returned any of my calls so it's good to hear via Towleroad that Kell Hulsey's employment with the city ended Tuesday. - via Towleroad.

Murder in Greeley: Angie Zapata Vigil Video

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."

Murder in Greeley: Trans-Panic

The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, today issued a statement on the murder of Angie Zapata and arrest of her alleged killer, Allen Ray Andrade in Greeley, Colorado. Andrade has been charged with first-degree murder and a hate crime in the case.

“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,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese. “Even worse is that Angie’s alleged killer is using her gender identity in an attempt to justify his heinous, inexcusable actions. The shameful ‘trans panic’ defense is nothing more than a scurrilous attempt to blame the victim for this horrible crime.”

“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. “As a transgender woman, I am horrified by this crime, but as human beings, we should all be outraged.”

Weld County District Attorney Ken Buck said Thursday his office has filed first-degree murder charges in the Angie Zapata case. The suspect, Allen Ray Andrade, 32, of Thornton, will also be charged with a hate crime. This will be the first murder in Weld County charged as a hate crime. Buck said the bias-connected charges have been filed before in other crimes in Weld, but not a murder. The hate crime addition adds another felony charged against Andrade, and could result in a more severe penalty.

“We are grateful that Weld County is properly pursuing the hate crime charge, and hope that strict enforcement of Colorado’s hate crime law continues,” said Solmonese.

Murder in Greeley: An arrest has been made

Sources tell me an arrest has been made in the case of the murder of 18 year old transgender Greeley woman Angie Zapata but there are no other details forthcoming as of yet. I will keep you posted as more details come in.

Murder in Greeley: "All she wanted was to be beautiful."

On Thursday, July 17, Angie Zapata, an 18-year old Latina transgender woman was found murdered in her home in Greeley, CO. It appears that there may be anti-transgender motive in this brutal crime.

It is believed that the suspect has stolen Angie's sister's car, a very dark forest green 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser with the Colorado license plate number 441ORN. There is a hubcap missing on the front passenger-side tire and there is paint missing on the front bumper on the driver-side, under the headlight. Anyone with information about the car is asked to call the Greeley police through the communications center, 970-350-9600.

"We want to get the whole community involved to find this person who hurt my sister and to let everyone be aware that all she wanted was to be beautiful. We want this violence to end. Transgender people deserve to be treated with respect," said Angie's sister Monica.

Read more after the jump.


The family encourages community attendance at Angie Zapata's service this evening with visitation from 6-7 p.m. followed by a prayer service at 7 p.m. at the Healing Place, 17801 E. 160th Ave. (Bridge Street), Brighton. In addition, community members may 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.

Community organizations have pulled together to both support the victim's family after this shocking attack and respond to a community reeling from the brutality of the hate crime. Hate or bias related crimes, such as physical assault, hate speech or vandalism, are crimes that are motivated by hostile feelings against an identifiable social group.

"Hate crimes differ from other crimes motivated by economic gain or personal animosity. They are message crimes that are meant to instill fear and a sense of vulnerability in an entire group, in this case the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) community," said Crystal Middlestadt, Director of Training and Education of the Colorado Anti Violence Program (CAVP).

"A hate crime like this serves to intimidate and disrupt an entire community," added Kelly Costello, Director of Victim Services at CAVP. "No one should ever live their lives in fear and intimidation regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. While we work to show everyone the gravity of hate crimes and the importance of preventing their reoccurrence, we also work towards building a world where everyone enjoys human rights and the ability to live with dignity and respect."

The 2007 Hate Violence Report released by the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs indicated that there were 19 reported murders across the nation that exhibited anti-LGBTQ motives. In the state of Colorado, CAVP documented 118 incidents of bias-motivated violence in 2007.

The Colorado Anti-Violence Program has been dedicated to eliminating violence within and against the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer communities in Colorado, and providing the highest quality services to survivors since 1986. CAVP provides direct services including crisis intervention, information, and referrals for LGBTQ victims of violence 24 hours a day. CAVP also provides technical assistance, training, and education for community organizations, law enforcement, and mainstream service providers on violence issues affecting the LGBTQ community. The most common types of violence they respond to are hate crimes and partner abuse, as well as cases that involve random violence, sexual assault, and HIV-motivated violence. LGBTQ victims or witnesses of violence are encouraged to call our 24 hour free and confidential hotline at 303-852-5094 or 1-888-557-4441 or visit their website at COAVP.org.

Greeley police officer involved in anti-gay beating

Towleroad reports on the story of an off-duty police officer and his 28-year-old son in Greeley, CO who beat up a guy they thought was hitting on the son at a bar. Apparently the victim has a lazy eye that made the two idiots think he was winking at them or something. I've got calls in to the Greeley police department for a statement and will let you know as soon as I hear what they have to say about the whole thing.

Meanwhile, the owner of the bar the incident happened at had this to say: