"Photos of Angie" Indie film of Angie Zapata premiers

Angies life forever changes how we view being transgender and her death redefines the punishment for hate crimes.


Trailer description:
"This haunting yet hopeful documentary tells the story of Angie Zapata, a transgender teen who was murdered in rural Greeley, Colorado in 2008. The film moves between the trial of her killer, Angie's brief life and self-discovery told through family and friends, and the fruition of national hate crime legislation with Angie's case very much in the foreground as it was the first time that a transgender murderer was successfully prosecuted under hate crime laws."



"Told in five movements, one per day of the trial of Angie's killer, the film features a classical score by Mackenzie Gault of the national touring band The Flobots and additional music by L.A.-based band Ozomatli. The film reveals Angie's simple life in the context of a complicated struggle juxtaposed with her violent death at the hands of a man whose true nature is finally revealed."

Source Westword.com

GoodBye to Hate : Angie's Zapata's Legacy

By kelli Anne Busey, planetransgender, April 19, 2009

The Courtroom's galleries reaction to the defense attorney's during the murder trial of Allen Ray Andrade is a microcosm of America's disgust that anyone would attempt to justify murder by intentionally with preconceived agenda and intent, emotionally and spiritually attack Angie's loved ones while they testify.

Where else might such a disastrous and despicable tactic be found? And why is the perception of right and wrong shifting after seemingly remaining unaltered throughout eternity?

"Invisible airwaves crackle with life
Bright antenae bristle with the energy
Emotional feedback, on timeless wavelength
Bearing a gift beyond price - almost free"
~Rush Spirit of the airwaves.

When woman are raped, the presently discredited tactic defense attorneys often used was to claim or insinuate that 'we deserved it' or that we 'asked for it' because of our attire, perfume, and even the fact that we were in public at a certain hour.

Woman now hold power in society and we are no longer silent victims.

Because we as sexual minorities, LBGT people, are no longer complacent with the edict's of Misogynous patriarchate's to be discarded or at best marginalized to the perimeters of faith as we seek readmission from religions. Much to our detriment what we were actually doing was giving credence to the church's discrimination and enabling spiritual violence.

We realize now the powerful message of radical inclusion of Christ's life and are now living his word centering ourselves among the righteous of the true church.

"All this machinery making modern music
Can still be open-hearted
Not so coldly charted; it's really just a question of your honesty.
One likes to believe in the freedom of music
But glittering prizes and endless compromises shatter the illusion of integrity"

Or perhaps not so often as our previously patriarchdom controlled culture had allowed we now embrace the freedom of the air waves to confront open consciousnesses that were sedated with comfort's allowed by inequity and injustice.

"For the words of the profits were written on the studio wall and concert hall
And echoes with the sound of salesmen."
~Rush 'Freedom of the airways'.

One transgender woman who lived authentically and without fear is a part of our unstoppable transition.

This is certainly people who's life's depends on inspiring hate, worsts nightmare.

It opens the door of life, liberty, freedom and the right to live without religious persecution, for those of us who do not.

On the web

Source Beth Karas, In Session correspondent, CNN "Defense spars with victim’s family at trial "

"GREELEY, Colorado–Angie Zapata’s mother, sisters and friends took on the defense on the second day of the trial of the man accused of killing her last July. Zapata, a transgender female, was bludgeoned to death in her home in Greeley, Colorado, allegedly because she was biologically a male living as a female."

"The accused, six-time convicted felon Allen Andrade, isn’t denying he’s the killer. He says that it wasn’t a premeditated murder as charged by the state; rather that Zapata’s deceit threw him into an uncontrollable rage. If convicted of a lesser degree of murder, he could avoid life without parole."

"On the second day of the trial, seven family members and friends of Zapata testified. Of those seven, five of them, Zapata’s mother, two sisters and two friends, consistently embraced Zapata’s transgender status."

Full Article at CNN.com Defense spars with victim’s family at trial

Reconciling Ministries Network

The Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN) is a growing movement of United Methodist individuals, congregations, campus ministries, and other groups working for the full participation of all people in the United Methodist Church.

This blog post is my personal opinion and is not an official policy statement or press release from any organization.

Senator Renfroe : Respect Justice During Angie Zapata's Murder Trial

Ask Senator Renfroe of Greeley to Respect Justice During Angie Zapata's Murder Trial

By Kelli Busey
March 12, 2009
planetransgender

***************************
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Feb. 25, 2009
Contact: Jeremy J. Shaver
Work: 303-733-4089
Cell: 303-324-7923

Interfaith Alliance of Colorado challenges harmful rhetoric in debate over Senate Bill 88

DENVER – The Interfaith Alliance of Colorado is concerned and saddened by the inflammatory rhetoric and disregard for the boundaries between religion and government displayed on the Colorado Senate floor on Monday.

The disturbing comments came during debate on Senate Bill 88 – legislation that would provide health benefits to the same-gender domestic partners of state employees. Sen. Scott Renfroe, of Greeley, quoted Bible verses to argue that the state should not condone homosexual relationships. He went even further by saying homosexuality is an “abomination” and an “offense to God.”
Continue reading press release "Interfaith Alliance of Colorado challenges harmful rhetoric in debate over Senate Bill 88"

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Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Allies with religious convictions and atheists alike are equally upset. Take Action and contact Senator Renfroe.

Sample Statement
[written by kelli Busey, feel free to cut and paste]

Senator Renfroe,

As we are sure you are aware, there is on going murder trial in Greeley CO. where impartiality of Justice could not be of more importance.
In respect of Angie Zapata's murder trial, family, friends and allies of the Gay, Lesbian, Bi-Sexual and Transgender community respectfully ask that Senator Renfroe contain his comments to those that do nor disparage LGBT people.

As this Murder trial will be directly affected by a State Senators comments that reflect his religious convictions and not the legislative mandates of Colorado, we ask Senator Renfroe to respect justice for this period of time and join the state of Colorado, the United States and indeed the world in efforts to find common ground.

Respectfully,

Contact Senator Renfroe and voice your opinion!

By phone:
303-866-4451

By e-mail:
scott.renfroe.senate@state.co.us

By mail (for official business):
Senator Scott Renfroe
State Capitol
200 E. Colfax Avenue
Denver, CO 80203

By mail (for campaign business):
Scott Renfroe for Senate
3201 Grandview Drive
Greeley, CO 80631

On Twitter:
On Twitter

On Facebook:
Facebook

Trial dates have been set for the murder of Angie Zapata.

Trial dates have been set for the murder of Angie Zapata. The eight day trial begins on April 14, 2008 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 her family and friends as possible by packing the courthouse during those days. If you are interested in coordinating rides to Greeley from the Denver-Metro area, please contact Kelly Costello at 303-839-5204 or kelly@coavp.org.

Colorado Anti-Violence Program Announces Discussion, Meditation & Dinner to Prepare for Upcoming Murder Trial

SAVE THE DATES: March 18th & April 7th

CAVP staff feels it is important for all of us involved in the trial to do so from an intentional and loving space. We recognize that we are all emotionally impacted when people target the LGBTQ community with violence. These incidents often lead us to feel a heightened sense of fear and vulnerability. We may feel anger and hatred towards those responsible for such violence.

In an effort to support our community members in maintaining a positive and healthy emotional and mental space around the trial of Allen Ray Andrade, CAVP will be hosting two evenings of discussion, meditation and dinner. Discussion will be facilitated by CAVP staff and meditation by Marti Engelmann.

We encourage you to participate in BOTH sessions if:

- You are even slightly considering attending any trial dates
- You would like to find other ways to support people going to the trial
- You have any interest in participating in creating this type of space regardless of your involvement with this case.

When:
March 18th from 6-8:30 pm and April 7th from 6-8:30 pm

Where:
CAVP Office

What:
Discussion and meditation 6:00- 7:30. Dinner provided afterwards.

How:
RSVP to Crystal Middlestadt at crystal@coavp.org or 303-839-5204.

Include any dietary restrictions. Feel free to call Crystal with any questions you may have about this process.

Please consider the following questions under "Individual Preparation" before the meditation.

Individual preparation
- Identify 3 reasons why you are going? What is your intention?
- What do you expect to get from your time there, both personally and professionally?
- What will be your self-care plan? (Self-care needs to happen every day during trial)
- How will you eat healthy?
- What are you expecting CAVP to provide for self-care?
- How will you use what you learned during this experience?
- You're encouraged to journal during their time preparing for, during and after trial.

After the verdict these are the next steps:
- ALL come back together for a debriefing and meditation guided by Marti Engelmann.
- One session just for staff with an outside facilitator
- What were our lessons learned?

o 3 personal
o 3 professional
o How will we apply what we learned from this process?


About Colorado Anti-Violence Program
Since 1986 the Colorado Anti-Violence Program has been dedicated to eliminating violence within and against the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) communities in Colorado, and providing the highest quality services to survivors. CAVP provides direct client services including crisis intervention, information, and referrals for LGBT victims of violence 24 hours a day.

The CAVP also provides technical assistance, training, and education for community organizations, law enforcement, and mainstream service providers on violence issues affecting the LGBT community.

The most common types of violence we work with are hate crimes and partner abuse. We also have cases that involve random violence, sexual assault, and HIV-motivated violence

Remembering Angie Zapata Facebook Page

transgender News PR] [CO, USA] CAVP Announces Discussion, Meditation & Dinner