Become a Volunteer or Trainer for Colorado Anti-Violence Program

The Colorado Anti-Violence Program is looking for new volunteers to become a valuable part of the organization.  There are many ways you can get involved, including becoming a trainer, community outreach and education, fundraising, administrative tasks, event planning or joining Branching Seedz of Resistance, COAVP's emerging youth organizing project (Open to youth ages 13-24).  

COAVP continues to re-envision their volunteer training program to better integrate and reflect their organizational values.  All trainings will integrate popular education principles, Theater of the Oppressed exercises and interactive discussions giving folks an opportunity to engage and learn in deeper ways.

Space is limited! RSVP by calling 303-839-5204 or e-mailing  crystal@coavp.org by March 16th.  Breakfast and lunch will be provided. 

CAVP welcomes Michelle Tijerina to the Board

Michelle Tijerina proudly identifies as a strong "ism-fighting" Queer Chicana. Born and raised in rural south Texas, just forty-five minutes from the birthplace of Queer Radical-Writer, Gloria Anzaldua, Michelle learned how to survive and fight against the varied effects of mainstream oppression. Michelle continues the fight today, through her work as the Bilingual Clinical Case Manager for West Denver's Child & Family Center, a division of Mental Health Center of Denver. Michelle is also currently earning her Master of Nonprofit Management Degree from Regis University, which she hopes will ensure a life-long career of working with and for marginalized and vulnerable communities. Outside of work and school, Michelle serves our community as a CAVP Crisis Hotline Advocate, Board Member for the East High School Student Attendance Review Board and volunteer for Voz y Corazon, a Latina-Youth Suicide Prevention and Mentoring Group.

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.



COAVP announces new Director of Sustainability

The Colorado Anti-Violence Program (CAVP) is proud to introduce Jerrilyn Page, their newly hired Director of Sustainability. After a long and extensive search process and staff restructuring, they say they are honored that Jerrilyn, who has been working as the Interim Director of Operations since March 2007, has accepted a permanent position with CAVP and will continue to lend her talents to the organization to ensure continued commitment to the liberation of Colorado's LGBTQ communities.

Read more after the jump.

Jerrilyn has a long history of community activism and comes to COAVP with a diverse array of experiences. In 2005, Jerrilyn relocated to Denver from Santa Fe, New Mexico where she worked as the Associate Director of Artwork International. Her move to Denver was inspired by an offer to manage the Urban Ecovillage Project, an effort to build an intentional community focusing on racial and socioeconomic justice as well as environmental sustainability. She has been heavily involved in intentional community building in other capacities as well, and has served on the boards of directors of the North American Students of Cooperation (NASCO) and on the Boulder Housing Coalition as President.

In the interest of learning how to best support these efforts and other community-based projects, Jerrilyn maintains a focus on grassroots fundraising. As a graduate of the Grassroots Institute for Fundraising Training, her goal is to create permanently sustainable organizations that are supported, controlled and owned by the communities they serve. She has worked in non-profit fundraising and organizing for the past 10 years with a variety of local and national organizations including Metro State College of Denver, Deproduction: The [denverevolution] Production Group, and Front Range Earth Force.

When asked what she found most appealing about working with the Colorado Anti-Violence Program Jerrilyn answered, "I am so grateful to be working with and for people who have made a commitment to challenging systems of oppression, challenging themselves, and to continually engaging with these issues with authenticity."

Jerrilyn can be reached via email at jerrilyn@coavp.org or by phone at 303-839-5204.



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.



Mardi Gras Dance Party in Denver

Colorado Anti-Violence Program and DJ Tatiana are throwing a Mardi Gras Dance Party at Club M on Tuesday, February 24.

Come out, learn more about CAVP and dance the night away.

You just might earn yourself some beads along the way.

COAVP applauds Aurora Police over Wilcoxson investigation

On November 3, 2008, less than four months after the murder of Angie Zapata in Greeley, CO, Amie Wilcoxson was found deceased in her apartment by neighbors. Community members, particularly in the transgender community that included Angie and Amie, voiced concerns over the initial investigation by Aurora Police Department. Many had a heightened sense of awareness around issues of violence and increased vulnerability around their own personal identities.

Lieutenant Stef and Victim Assistance Supervisor Carole O'Shea met with community members on November 24, providing a forum for people to voice concerns about the investigation as well as process grief. While waiting for reports to come back regarding the cause of death, many people were anxious to receive more information about the case.

On February 6, 2009, Lt. Stef and Ms. O'Shea returned to It Takes A Village, along with lead Detective Stowell and coroner James Hibbard to provide a presentation on the investigation. Staff members of CAVP and It Takes A Village were impressed with the dignity and respect given to Amie throughout the process. Det. Stowell had a powerpoint presentation with many details about the investigation and explained, step-by-step, how decisions were made. Mr. Hibbard explained that his job is to determine the cause and manner of death. Based on medical reports, the cause of death was determined to be multiple drug toxicity. Amie consumed toxic levels of medication, all of which was prescribed to her. While Det. Stowell provided information about suicidal ideation, Mr. Hibbard provided scenarios to explain that it could not be determined whether the manner of death could be ruled accidental or suicide. The official manner of death is undetermined.

Many questions have been answered and fears about hate-violence have been calmed, but we are now faced with mourning the death of a member of our community. Amie Wilcoxson was a peer outreach worker for It Takes a Village's TransAction program and was very active in the transgender community. She strongly advocated for the rights of the transgender community in employment, health care, substance abuse treatment, housing and more. She was a loving friend who exuded positive energy to those around her. She will continue to be missed.

While we do not know if Amie was suicidal, we know that she was experiencing some difficult emotional issues around the time of her death. We must remember to take care of each other and to take concerns and messages around suicide seriously. The number for the National Suicide Hotline is 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433).

COAVP open house on December 3

Colorado Anti-Violence Program (CAVP) is having an open house and silent auction fundraiser on Wednesday, December 3, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at 304 Elati St. in Denver. Enjoy a night of competitive bidding, meeting new people and hanging out with the CAVP community. There will be appetizers, beverages and music.

And remember these safe dating tips from CAVP so that you don't become a victim of violence.

Colorado Anti-Violence Program

GLBT domestic violence report

Today, the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP) and 37 of its member organizations across the country released their report on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Domestic Violence in 2007. The 50-page report, released annually by NCAVP, examines data compiled from thousands of LGBT people who experienced intimate partner violence during the year 2007. The report found that, in 2007, reported cases of domestic violence declined by 13% but that domestic violence in LGBT relationship is still vastly unreported. Reporting regions include: Los Angeles, San Francisco, Colorado, Chicago, Boston, Kansas City, New York City, Columbus, Philadelphia, Houston, Virginia, Seattle, and Milwaukee. In addition to the quantitative information, the report includes narratives from survivors, data analyses from local LGBT community groups, recommendations and tips for service providers, and a state guide on LGBT access to domestic violence orders of protection.

"October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month which is an excellent opportunity for LGBT people to talk about the reality that violence and abuse does happen in our relationships," said Sharon Stapel, Executive Director of the New York City Anti-Violence Project (AVP). "It is also critically important that LGBT communities know that there is support available if they are in a violent relationship," Stapel stated, "Although we are heartened to see a drop in the number of reports of LGBT domestic violence across the country, we know that the numbers are drastically under-reported and that we have seen a sharp spike in domestic violence-related calls at NYC AVP in October 2008 as the economy worsens. We believe that NCAVP's report will provide not only vital information about domestic violence in our communities but also necessary referral information for victims of domestic violence."

Traditional domestic violence programs do not always offer services specific to LGBT victims of domestic violence, which may prevent some LGBT victims from seeking services. One lesbian survivor described her experience coming out to a service provider. "She seemed more surprised than I was that my girlfriend was being abusive and she kept saying 'he' even after I told her this was my girlfriend. They seemed very reluctant to let me into shelter and said they rarely take women without kids." This report provides referral information to LGBT-specific anti-violence programs around the U.S. and Canada. Almost all of these programs provide crisis intervention services for LGBT people experiencing domestic violence.

NCAVP documented nearly equal percentages of calls from men and women with 5% of reports coming from transgender victims. Over 75% of calls came from victims identifying themselves as gay or lesbian, with 12% identifying as heterosexual, 7% as bisexual, and the remainder self identifying as queer or questioning. Callers accessing NCAVP reported weapons as part of the abuse 7% of the time and callers reported sexual assault occurring 9% of the time as a part of the abuse. 18% of callers reported police involvement in their cases.

This ability to access appropriate support for LGBT survivors of intimate partner abuse is further complicated by violence and bias that many LGBT people face outside of their relationships. "Many LGBT individuals experience hate-motivated violence, harassment, mistreatment and bullying as a part of their daily lives. This terrifying reality can make any violent or controlling behavior within a relationship seem like a minor issue by comparison," said Avy Skolnik, AVP's coordinator of NCAVP. "This is dangerous, in part, because intimate partner violence can be deadly." In 2007, NCAVP documented five DV-related deaths.

"I've been with my boyfriend for 2 years," commented one survivor in the report. "He's been violent for a while so I don't know why I let him stay. One time, he beat me up pretty bad, destroyed my cell phone, and threw my computer out the window. Luckily I wasn't hurt too badly this time but I am worried about what he might do next time."

One of the reasons why it might be difficult for some LGBT people to recognize that they are experiencing abuse may be related to a dearth of information and/or role models. One survivor commented in the report that "My family blamed the abuse on my being a lesbian and told me it was my fault."

Additionally, intimate partner violence can be difficult for LGBT communities to publicly acknowledge and address at a time when there is a struggle for legal recognition of LGBT relationships. "People often feel immense pressure to keep quiet about any relationship problems they are experiencing. But LGBT people, just like straight people, deserve to be in relationships free of violence and fear. And if we experience abuse from someone we are dating or from a long term partner, we deserve the same access to support," remarked Terra Slavin, Lead DV Staff Attorney at the L.A. Gay and Lesbian Center.

The data in the report is derived from an intake tool that NCAVP member organizations - primarily local LGBT victim services organizations - utilize when directly working with victims of domestic and intimate partner violence and is submitted to NCAVP for analysis.

The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP) addresses the pervasive problem of violence committed against and within lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) and HIV-affected communities. NCAVP is a coalition of community-based organizations that document and advocate for victims of anti-LGBT and anti-HIV/AIDS violence/harassment, domestic violence, sexual assault, police misconduct and other forms of abuse. NCAVP is dedicated to creating a national response to the violence plaguing these communities and supporting existing anti-violence organizations and emerging local programs in their efforts to document and prevent such violence.

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.