Homophobic murders increase in Mexico

During the past decade, gays and lesbians have been murdered in Mexico at an annual rate about double that of the preceding five years, according to a report by a coalition of civic organizations.

The increase in killings may be tied to more openness about sexual orientation in the country, one official said.

In memory of Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado and Jason Mattison Jr.

Vigils were held over the weekend in New York, Chicago, Boston, Dallas and other cities to honor the memories of Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado of Puerto Rico and Jason Mattison Jr. of Baltimore -- two gay teens who were the recent victims of alleged bias killings.

Vigil for Jorge Mercado

Equality Forum reports that a vigil will be held in Philadelphia on Friday evening, November 20th to remember 19-year-old Jorge Lopez Mercado. Lopez, a Puerto Rican native was found partially burned, decapitated and with arms and legs dismembered, on the side of the road near his home town Caguas, Puerto Rico on Saturday, November 14th.

Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender organizations, activists and allies are invited. The Vigil will include the Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus, Gloria Casarez, LGBT Liaison to Mayor Nutter, Cynthia Vasquez, youth activist at the Gay and Lesbian Latino AIDS Education Initiative (GALAEI), and Malcolm Lazin, Executive Director of Equality Forum.

According to Equality Forum, there were 29 gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) hate crime murders in the United States in 2008.

“We must stop the homophobic slaughter,” stated Malcolm Lazin, Executive Director of Equality Forum. “Since Matthew Shepard’s murder in 1998, there have been over 16,000gay hate crimes, and on average, about 1,450 GLBT hate crimes per year.”

There will also be a Vigil in New York City on Sunday, November 22nd. “It is our hope that communities around the nation will hold Vigils to remember Jorge and that his memory will be a call to conscience,” said Lazin.

Sailor killed early this morning in possible anti-gay attack

The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, released a statement today in the death of Seaman August Prevost, 29, at Camp Pendleton in San Diego, CA. According to local media reports, the Navy and Marine Corps confirmed that a sailor's body was found on the base at about 3 a.m. Tuesday morning. A military spokesperson confirmed that there was evidence of foul play in the killing and that the case is a murder investigation. It is also understood a “person of interest” is in custody at Camp Pendleton but has not been charged with a crime. Local activists report the victim may have been targeted because of his sexual orientation.

“Our thoughts are with the Prevost family at this time as authorities work to learn what happened in the early morning hours this past Tuesday,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “The Human Rights Campaign has confirmed Congresswoman Susan Davis has been in touch with officials at the base and is tracking the investigation. We know that every day members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community are targeted for simply being who they are. Furthermore, our gay or lesbian soldiers struggle with the extra burden of not serving openly and honestly based on the discriminatory policy of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’ As we monitor the investigation, our community must continue to raise awareness on a law that we know hurts military readiness and national security while putting American soldiers at risk.”

This is why I don't hook up on Craigslist ... anymore

WABC newsman George Weber murdered by teenage Craigslist trick. Yeesh. - via Towleroad

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.