Community Rallies in Response to Anti-Transgender Murder
Hey All,
Please checkout and read the press release below. I feel deeply sad about Angie's murder. I would appreciate any support you could offer Angie's family. There's some specific ways you can offer support outlined below. If you're in Colorado and able to attend Angie's service tonight that's great. You can also support Angie's memorial fund. Please help spread the word around ways that people can support Angie's family and community.
Thanks for your loving thoughts and community responses for all members of our communities.
For Immediate Release: Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Contacts: Kelly Costello & Crystal
Middlestadt 303-839-5204
Community Rallies in Response to Anti-Transgender Murder
Denver,CO - 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.
The family appreciates community support but has requested that all media contacts be directed to the Colorado Anti-Violence Program. 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 relatedvcrimes, 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 our website at http://www. coavp. org.
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Please checkout and read the press release below. I feel deeply sad about Angie's murder. I would appreciate any support you could offer Angie's family. There's some specific ways you can offer support outlined below. If you're in Colorado and able to attend Angie's service tonight that's great. You can also support Angie's memorial fund. Please help spread the word around ways that people can support Angie's family and community.
Thanks for your loving thoughts and community responses for all members of our communities.
For Immediate Release: Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Contacts: Kelly Costello & Crystal
Middlestadt 303-839-5204
Community Rallies in Response to Anti-Transgender Murder
Denver,CO - 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.
The family appreciates community support but has requested that all media contacts be directed to the Colorado Anti-Violence Program. 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 relatedvcrimes, 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 our website at http://www. coavp. org.
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