Angie Zapata in Greeley, CO

A Greeley transgender woman was apparently murdered this month (video originally posted: August 04, 2008) because a man she met on the Internet became angry when he discovered she was biologically male.

The Weld District Attorney charged Allen Ray Andrade, 32, of Thornton with second-degree murder and aggravated motor vehicle theft Wednesday after Thornton police arrested him on traffic warrants and Greeley police arrested him thereafter on the murder charge. He was picked up while he was in the dead woman's car. . . .Read More

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Transgender Murder

Murder trial coverage

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‘Queen Raquela’ reaps int'l acclaim

By Bayani San Diego Jr.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
4/19/2009

MANILA, Philippines - When Cebuano transsexual Raquela Rios first met Icelandic filmmaker Olaf de Fleur Johannesson online, she thought he was looking for romance, like she was. He gave her a movie role instead.

She soon realized he was doing research for a movie. “He was in touch online with other Asian transsexuals, mostly Thai and Filipinos, but decided on a Pinoy because we are fluent in English,” said Raquela.

Following a barrage of e-mails, the pair embarked on the adventure that resulted in the film, “The Amazing Truth About Queen Raquela.”

The shoot, Raquela recalled, brought her from tropical Cebu to frigid Scandinavia. “I never imagined I could become an actress and travel,” she said. Her inexperience initially daunted her. “I had no idea how to act, but [after a while] it felt natural. . . .Read More

Comedian David Hoyle is no drag

With scary make-up, savage wit and no showtunes,the comedian David Hoyle takes his audiences right to the edge

TimesOnLine

4/21/2009

David Hoyle tosses his head back and regards his reflection. His outfit - leather miniskirt, fishnet top and cut-off leather jacket (plus red dog collar) - pleases him, with its whiff of Nancy Spungen. “I'm quite into the S&M look at the moment,” he says airily, “I think it happens as you get older.” He glances over at me and twinkles.

We are in the Candy Store costumiers, Hoyle trying on outfits in preparation for his new show at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern, the pioneering alternative gay venue in South London, which launched Lily Savage, Amy Lamé's Duckie and the comedian Scott Capurro. Dave's Drop-in Centre “is loosely inspired by a psychiatric daycare centre,” Hoyle explains, “and all the activities that go on, from occupational therapy to hobbies to empowerment, group catharsis.” Each of his six shows will have its own theme and Hoyle will collaborate with different performers from the alternative scene. “The one I'm working on with [the burlesque comedian] Fancy Chance will touch on issues of nationalism, nationality and immigration; when I'm working with Dickie Beau that will be to do with the past and childhood. I think that's going to be a very emotional show.”. . .Read More

Transgender bill not ready for prime time

Perspective

4/20/2009

AP

The transgender rights bill being considered by the Legislature aims provide a measure of human dignity for a segment of the population that we are still grappling to define.

There have been strong emotional reactions on both sides and pressure to either pass or kill it quickly.

But the complexity of the issue and unanswered questions as to its implications warrant much closer review before moving forward.

House Bill 1728 is anti-discrimination legislation that aims to fill a gap in the state's laws against hate crimes.

At it's heart is an effort to protect people being fired from jobs, denied housing just because their gender identity conflicts with the gender they were assigned at birth.

It's too simplistic to label this strictly as a "bathroom bill" that threatens the safety of women and children. . . .Read More