.jpg)
A 25-year-old transsexual woman is reported to have been physically and sexually assaulted in a hotel room in Trinidad, Colorado, on July 15.
The Pueblo Chieftain reports that police were called to the Trinidad Motor Inn to investigate a call about a female party who was found in a room unclothed, injured, and bound at the feet and hands. The woman had also been sexually assaulted with a wooden coat hanger.
According to the police report obtained by the Chieftain, the attacker saw the woman in the lobby of the hotel and followed her back to her room. She did not let him in, but he later returned and forced his way in, sexually assaulted her, then tried to drown her in the bathtub and electrocute her by dropping a hair dryer into the bathtub.
The victim reported that the attacker used anti-gay slurs as he attacked her.
A follow-up report by the Chieftain says that no arrests have been made in the case. The victim was reportedly not a resident of Trinidad, but was there to consult with Dr. Marci Bowers about surgery. Bowers took over a popular surgical practice in Trinidad after the death of Dr. Stanley Biber, who was considered a pioneer in surgical procedures for transsexual people. The Chieftain reports that violence against trans people is rare in Trinidad, which has a larger-than-usual trans population for its size and sees a great many trans people every year who come to town for surgical consultations and procedures.
The Colorado Anti-Violence Program (CAVP) has been in contact with the Trinidad Police Department and is monitoring the case.
The brutality of this type of crime is what sets it apart from crimes involving robbery or crimes of passion. As with the Angie Zapata murder in Greeley, Colorado, the extensive brutality and violence that was reported to be involved in this attack is indicative of rage and hatred directed at a specific group of people.
The use of anti-gay slurs throughout the attack, as reported by the victim, also indicates that the victim was targeted because she is a trans woman, CAVP's Crystal Middlestadt told the Chieftain. Trans women are particularly vulnerable to this type of violent attack and are often subjected to anti-gay verbal attacks.
It is unclear whether or not a hate crimes charge will be filed when an arrest is made, but District Attorney Frank Ruybalid told the Chieftain, "Just generally from what I have read, his motivation is in fact animosity against the victim because of her transgender status. That would fall within the statute of a hate crime."
Colorado does have a hate crimes statute that covers transgender people. Allen Andrade was convicted of first-degree murder and a hate crime earlier this year in the slaying of Angie Zapata. His conviction was believed to be the first time in the United States that a hate crimes verdict has been returned in the murder of a trans person.
Comments
If you read the original story careful, the victim was actually a f2m transsexual man. It was almost two weeks ago.
i'd post links, but they are not allowed on this system.
"Terrorism Strikes Trinidad"
It seems the recent rise of radical bigotry has been emboldened by other such acts of terrorism that fananticism is running rampant. Of late such blatant disregard for the law appears to reflect more the "rule" than it does the "exception".
How sad ... I don't understand the hate. This world is big enough for everyone to live and let live.
Anonymous T Girl - you can post links. Just leave off the first part that begins with http.
From the original story, it appears that the victim was FTM--the reporter refers to the victim as a "transsexual man." But I contacted the reporter to clarify, and he confirmed this was a trans woman (born male, transitioning to female), and additional sources have confirmed this. That's the problem with language when referring to the trans community, especially when it is not clarified by reporters--it often results in confusion. I also thought it was a trans man at first.
I was astonished by the title of this article! Not that another transsexual woman was brutalized but where she was brutalized. I hope they find the sociopathic monster who hurt her. The article does not tell what condition the victim is in now physically. Does she need assistance with medical bills derived from her injuries?
I have no doubt they'll catch the "man" who did this because more than likely he will just have to brag about his hate. I just hope he does not turn out to be a long time resident of Trinidad.
What has been the community's reaction to this atrocity?
September Meadows
Ellensburg, WA
September--I know. It is very surprising. But I know many trans people who live in or have spent time in Trinidad with no threat to their safety, and who felt very welcome and comfortable there. I have been there, and it is a good town. Colorado is actually a very trans-friendly state, with our laws and our resources, but bad things can still happen.
I have not heard much about the reaction of the Trinidad community, but from the small amount that I have heard, this is upsetting to them. The residents are good people who don't want something like this to happen in their town.
As far as the trans community, we are still in the process of getting information about this. The Colorado Anti-Violence Program is keeping tabs on it.
I don't know the condition of the woman. I think more details will emerge over time and once an arrest is hopefully made.
Thanks for writing.
And the insane intolerance of people who don't kowtow to rigid gender roles continues.
Such a terrible thing to happen. The GBLT community has lately been the victims of increased violence. It's good to know that Colorado includes attacks against the transgendered as a hate crime. One can only hope that the person who did this is caught, put on trial, and justly imprisoned.
It doesn`t really matter if the victim was Gay/Lesbian or Transgendered MtF/FtM This type of behavior should not be tolerated. It is a blatant act of violence towards the GLBT community. And should be punished accordingly!
Question?
Since Trinidad is such a small community, do they have the resources to effectively track this murderer down?
Is there anything we in the LGBT community can do to help???
I think crimes in Trinidad is blind.It can occur in any direction.Crime rate start to jump during the end of the 1990s when the US start to send criminal gangs back to their native country.Many Trinidadians who grownup developed negative behavior due to the excess of freedom and lack of parental supervision at early age.Now you also have the influence Farrakhan style radical Islam that they learned while in prison.In Trinidad they live as pariah of the society.The police in Trinidad is corrupt to the same degree as Mexican police. Soon you have to opposite group who allied to make Trinidad a living hell.Statistically ,The typical victims of crimes in Trinidad is,by order,wealthy East-Indians and Chinese, women,sexual minorities.The fanatics in Trinidad despite the Muslims because of their wealth and social status.Its a slow ethnic cleansing that slowly drive away Indians to immigrate in the USA,England or Canada.Indo-Trinidadian are one of the driving force of Trinidad economy.
Wait a minute, the person was Female-to-male?? Then the Examiner.com has it all wrong - this was a transsexual MAN. I was reading this article thinking it was a male-to-female because they kept referring to him in female pronouns and saying "transsexual woman".
Crystal--this person is male-to-female. The language in the Chieftain's original article is confusing. I have verified with the reporter and several other sources that this person is, in fact, male-to-female and that the language in the original news report was misleading.
How sad it seems it never will end, we are a team of trans people, lovers, friends and family who fun a show that discuss these types of issues weekly every wensday night at 8PM/PST 10pm CST/ 11pm EST come by and check us out sometimes-- its always good to get more opinions and support from main stream society
if any of you posters here are interested fell free to check us out at www(DOT)blogtalkradio(dot)com/tea-time-
This is...BS. No one should be treated this way. People are people, and should be treated as such! Be it gay/lesbian/bi/trans... none of that should matter. We are all human beings with real thoughts and real feelings. My name is Angelica, and I am bi. I'm 15, and I go through this everyday. I'm really sorry to the victim, I hope things work out.
Thanks for your comment, Angelica. Hang in there. I'm hopeful that your generation will change things, and even now, as you get older and go out in to the world as an adult, you will find many more accepting people out there. You will find a community of people who accept you for who you are. It will get better. Thanks for writing.
LIVE AND LET LIVE ,UH HUH!!!AND WE WONDER WHY ARE YOUNG HAVE SO MANY PROBLEMS AND ARE UNABLE TO COPE AND END UP COMMITTING SUICIDE.THIS IS A SIN AND BY NO MEANS WILL GOD ALLOW THIS TO CONTINUE.IT'S IMMORAL AND DISGRACEFUL.THAT DR.WILL ANSWER FOR EVERY SURGERY SHE HAS DONE AND WHEN SHE STANDS BEFORE GOD HOW WILL SHE EXPLAIN HOW AND WHY SHE UNDID WHAT HE(GOD)DID.I GUESS THERE ARE SOME OF US WHO STILL HAVE MORALS AND ARE SICK OF THIS COP OUT LIVE AND LET LIVE.I'M NOT FOR VIOLENCE BUT IT'S DISGUSTING TO SEE WOMEN KISSING WOMEN AND MEN KISSING MEN.I GUESS THE ONLY GOOD THING ABOUT THIS IS LESS CHILDREN WILL BE BORN AND TO THINK WE WERE PUT ON EARTH TO PROCREATE.WHAT MUST OUR MAKER BE THINKING.DEAR GOD WHAT KIND OF HUMAN BEINGS HAVE WE BECOME THAT NOTHING IS SACRED ANYMORE.GOD HAVE MERCY ON ALL OF US AND MAY THE PERSON WHO WAS ATTACT BE OK VIOLENCE IS NOT THE ANSWER IT NEVER HAS BEEN AND NEVER WILL BE.
Elaine what happen in your life that causes you to believe God would welcome the hate you have written? I think you have a very warped view of a compassionate, loving God.
I guess some people have nothing better to do than to condem and abuse others,what makes these people hate so much? God is suppose to be about "Love" when are people ever going to learn that transgendered people are not exempt from gods love.
But God hates when some causes his children to suffer, so religous extremist 'God Only wants you to love one another" stop your hatred and stop treating people badly, you have no right to judge!!!!
Hello, My neme Scarlet M. I now 26. I no understand talk English I deaf and only know ASL. So sorry. I read you comments and I pleased touched by you words. That night my life no same. I wish have my surgery. But all money go Dr.Suzan Cane. Ph.D Psycology. Even I go out I so scared. I make self look ugly. I have one wish. I wish to have surgery soon. That someone help me and I end this. I wish for SRS that my wish.If you no believe me email me at NightAngelsTouch@gmail.com. Please I no want new pain, just healing. If you want help me, I wish for SRS And other. If you need info email me I give you proof. It me. Thank You All.
Hello again, I am MTF. I want stay in Trinidad but to afraid I live California area. But still alone I need freinds. Who nice and gentle. Bills are a head pain. any help is wellcome. Pls email me at NightAngelsTouch@gmail.com Scarlet M.
it GOOD FOR SHE HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA I HOPE ALL GAY PPL DIE
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!