Angie Zapata, companion and gentle soul met her violent death alone and without hope at the hands of confessed killer and gang member Allen Andrade on July 16, 2008.
Planetransgender has been given permission to re-post word for word the news as written and published by Autumn Sandeen, who will be in Colorado to cover the trial.
Autumn Sandeen transgender activist, is a distinguished and respected writer, contributing author at Pams House Blend, the only LGBT blog to be credentialed for the 2008 DNC, Transgender News and Transadvocate. Autumn honors us to be a friend and member of the Dallas Transgender Advocates and Allies(DTAA)..
Beyond the emotional envelopment of this tragedy lie's deeper truths. Miss Angie's murder trial which begins Tuesday, April 14th, will mark the first time ever, an anti-transgender murder will be prosecuted as a hate crime in the United States.
We are murdered at an estimated rate of 1 in 12 obstinately because of our gender expression.
Law enforcement presently does not have the tools to identify and report hate crimes committed against transgender people and lawyers and judges do not have the laws that will allow prosecution for hate crimes without risking a conviction.
Tell your Legislators to support HR1913 Hate Crime Prevention Act" which was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives last week. HR1913 is expected to be introduced in the Senate within the next couple of weeks, this trial is a timely reminder of the need for federal hate crimes legislation.
By kelli Busey
planetransgender
April 8, 2009
on the web
PageOneQ; Angie Zapata's killer confessed to first-degree murder as a hate crime
Angie Zapata's accused killer to be tried for for 1st degree murder
Angie Zapata's Life and Death : changed how we are treated
Angie Zapata Trial : Andrade's Murder Confession Thrown Out
Trial dates have been set for the murder of Angie Zapata.
Senator Renfroe : Respect Justice During Angie Zapata's Murder Trial
4/7/09
Tell Your Senator and Representative to Pass "HR1913 Hate Crime Prevention Act"
Let Your Representatives Know You Care about Hate Crimes Legislation!
Take Action!
Representative John Conyers (D-MI) along with 42 original co-sponsors re-introduced the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act - H.R. 1913. It is a transgender inclusive bill identical to the hate crimes legislation passed by the House of Representatives in 2007.
The Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act would add sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and disability to existing federal hate crimes laws. It would also strengthen enforcement of these laws by allowing the US Department of Justice to assist local authorities in the investigation and prosecution of hate crimes cases.
When introducing the bill, Representative Conyers stated that the legislation "provides a constructive and measured response to a problem that continues to plague our nation. These are crimes that shock and shame our national conscience. They should be subject to comprehensive federal law enforcement assistance and prosecution."
Email Your Representative Today!
We urge you to write your Representatives and encourage them to support this critical piece of legislation. Those who oppose this legislation are taking advantage of this time to reach out to their representatives - it is important that we are equally active, sharing our stories with our Congress members. Please email your Representative, and take this important step to help address the violence our LGBT loved ones face
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