Andrade Found Guilty

Allen Andrade has been found guilty of murdering Angie Zapata, with the hate crimes indictment tacked on for killing her due to her gender identity/expression.

Light a Candle for Angie

This is making the rounds in the Twitterverse -- for good reason, I think!!! -- as well as the blogosphere -- also for good reason!!!

From AngieZapata.com:

Angie Zapata was brutally murdered in Greeley, Colorado in July 2008. Angie was a transgender woman and she was murdered because of anti-transgender bias.

On April 14, 2009, her alleged killer will go on trial in Greeley, Colorado. The trial marks the first time that Colorado’s gender identity-inclusive hate crimes statute—and in fact any state’s hate crimes law—has been applied in the investigation and prosecution of an anti-transgender murder case.

The tragic circumstances of Angie’s death gives Coloradans an opportunity to better understand Angie’s life and the lives of transgender people. It offers a chance to talk about the importance of Colorado’s hate crime law. And it highlights the need to stop excluding people from the protections of a federal hate crimes law simply because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

If you check out my Facebook profile, you'll note that I have lit a candle for Angie on my profile. I think you should, too, and become a fan of the movement on Facebook.

Is this the first time a trans or queer person has been murdered because of who they were? No. Is it going to be the last? No. But, aren't we tired of the violence? I am never sure the value of activism by teh interwebs -- we'll call it "keyboard activism" -- but I'll say this: over the last 6 months, I have heard more about us in the mainstream media than I ever have before. And I think that even something as simple as changing your profile picture on Facebook can yield amazing results, sometimes.

Oh, and Jamie at Stuff Queer People Need to Know reminds us that victims of violence are not always just the people who are physically attacked.

Denver's Pride Theme

And I thought Cincinnati's was bad :-).

MileHighGayGuy announces Denver's: "Worldwide Pride -- Connecting the Dots"

You know, Squealing with Pride is starting to grow on me. At least it doesn't wreak of gray-ness.

They have an official pride blogger? Interesting. It's an idea.

Oh, and don't forget about the Pride Committee Meeting this evening at the MCC. I may actually be in attendance, though I'll be bringing homework.

Equal Marriage Updates

I need, like, a central map that charts everything that is happening in the world of equal marriage -- status of current bills, news items, etc. etc. etc.

• Maine, in the wake of the introduction of an equal marriage bill, has a new anti-gay website launched called the Maine Marriage Initiative, which states that "marriages should be strengthened, no redefined." Like New Hampshire, Maine is an odd New England state that has the propensity to swing towards conservative values while still being pretty solidly Dem. I'm curious to see how this one will turn out -- Vermont, as well, I think is in the same boat.
• North Carolina is also dealing with a new anti-equal marriage campaign, as fundies have targeted the state to create a DOMA -- as it is the last southern state without one. Their creative byline? "One Man. One Woman. That's Marriage." Uh-huh. Except in six countries and two states.
• On the good side, Illinois had an equal marriage bill introduced. What I think is so amazing to me is that we're starting to see the tide turn for no other reason than we are seeing pro-same sex marriage initiatives launched, as opposed to the plethora of anti- bills we have seen go up in the past. Of course, this one is being proposed by a gay state Representative, so I'm sure it will be billed as "special interest."
• Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith has closed the discussion: New York State will not bring up gay marriage this year. Despite his support, despite the Assembly passing the bill, despite Gov. Paterson promising to sign it (and despite probably public opinion in favor of it, I believe)... apparently it's just too much of an issue to bother with this year. My concern at this point: we see a huge conservative swing in 2010 and there goes any hope for it. But, as you know, no one listens to me on these things.
• Despite their otherwise weirdness on all things homo these days, Wyoming legislators rejected the opportunity to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot banning same-sex marriage. I'm really confused by the Rocky Mountain States. Singing Katy Perry: You're hot, then you're cold, you're yes then you're no...
• Speaking of weird Rocky Mountain states, the home of Rep. Musgrove who wrote the Federal Marriage Amendment is having an equal marriage legislation brought before it... by a straight couple. It's nice when other people do our work for us. But, seriously, thanks to the amazing allies who stepped up to the cause and will, probably, do more for it than we could ourselves. We'd get in a tizzy over the language.
• Speaking of amazing allies... on the homefront, our own Dean of Cincinnati, the publisher of the Cincinnati Beacon asks: "Why can't I solemnize gay marriage?" Good question -- and on the front page of the website!!! -- and thanks to our local friends and supporters for everything they do to advance the cause. (The comments are just priceless, btw.)

I just had an idea. Hrm. I need to make a phone call to the HRC, and stat.

GAY STUFF: ELECTION 2008: Katherine Sozt, crazy by any other name...

In House District 18 of Colorado, there is a lady by the name of Katherine Szot.


There she is, from her... Facebook profile. Apparently, it is the only publically available picture of her on the whole interweb. There is absolutely nothing about her on vote-smart.org (except that she's running), and the most biographical or issues position that can be found is on the Build-a-Sign website. In fact, there is no website for her campaign, and her email address is something absurd like "goldeneaglefreedom."

My friend DD is out there in Colorado and the Colorado Springs Pride Center put out, as part of their voter education project, a questionnaire. Now, I don't have a copy of the original questionnaire, but he put out this response from Ms. Sozt to their questions:

“From my biology classes in school, I learned that same-sex "couples” do not produce children. Children in these cases were produced outside of the “same-sex” relationships and have been into a life style that was not part of natural procreation. I have known children in these situations when teens had to face the reality of their upbringing, (sic) many were upset, some because
rebellious and other just endured until they could leave home.

I have lived next to, worked with, and talked with many "gay and lesbian” individuals. Many lesbians became tired of the abuse from the male population and decided to "partner” with another woman that had been abused and de-humanized as they have been. I have talked with men that were “male bashed” by woman and had their spirit broken and possible physically injured, so they gave up on having a heterosexual relationship, which is a choice made by them, which also prevents them from having children. I have also read the chemicals in the water supply have actually changed male fish into female, changing their brain chemicals and hormones. Is this the reason that some men become submissive and give up their “manhood”? I don’t know.

My whole concern with the “alternative” lifestyle is that true homosexuals can not reproduce; they have to recruit children to continue their group population, or go outside of a relationship to “produce” a child. It is no secret that disease in the homosexual community is very high and a by product of their life style.

Another question I have is if a same-sex couple is truly "homosexual” why does one of the partne rs seek to have a “sex change” when they can afford it? This expense alone is an elective surgery that has a high price tag and health risks.

I am not trying to belittle your organization, nor will I “candy coat” my responses. If a person hates themselves so much that they have to “change” their outer appearance or believe them selves (sic) to be something they are not, to feel better about them self (sic), they are sadly mistaken. An individual will never feel good about them self (sic) because of their outward appearance, look at all the movie stars, recording artists, models and very wealthy people that have died from over doses, anorexia, or other forms of suicide. A person must respect and love them self (sic) from within. If an individual has the confidence and personality to face the world for who they are then they will not drastic physical changes to be happy. When you have a healthy perspective of yourself, then, and only then can you have the maturity and emotional stability to love another person in a relationship that will be safe, nurturing and have mutual respect. This is true of any relationship, whether an adult intimate, friend or business associate.

Many adults have had bad experiences in their lives. Adults affect (sic) the lives of children, and the children have to try to cope with all the baggage placed in their lives by adults. Children learn hate from adults, (sic) children learn prejudice from adults, and above all children lean acceptance or rejection from adults.”

Uh-huh. I should, from now on, refer to myself as "gay." Quotations and all.