|
THE DOCUMENTARY
 The Yuma Premiere of the documentary
"Amancio…Two Faces on a Tombstone," was Sunday, October 11, 2009, at the
Yuma Historic Downtown Theater. The presentation was held in conjunction with National
Coming Out Day 2009.
Special Guests Included the Corrales Family, The Director of the Documentary
Mr. Tom Murray, the protagonist and founder of The Amancio Project, Mr.
Michael H. Baughman, AZ Senator Amanda Aguirre and the then President of the newly
formed Yuma High School Gay Straight Alliance (YHS GSA), Douglas O. Sanchez.
The Sunday afternoon program, emceed by
Baughman, included an introduction by Mr. Bill Butler of The Yuma Film Commission, Senator
Aguirre speaking about "The Value of Non-Discrimination," Sanchez talking on
"National Coming Out Day," and an introduction to the film by directory
Murray. Approximately 300 people attended.
There was a question and answer period by Murray and Baughman immediately
following the presentation then everyone was invited to attend a
reception, hosted by The Yuma Film Commission, next door at the Yuma Arts
Center..
View a preview of the documentary at
http://www.amancio-themovie.com
Director: Tom Murray -- Producer: Bruce Presley,
Downtown Loft Studio in Florida
SYNOPSIS: Gay and Hispanic, Amancio dreamed of one day being a performer in
Las Vegas, but his dream was cut short on May 6, 2005 when Amancio’s body
was found floating in the Colorado River near Yuma. He had been brutally
beaten and stabbed. He was just 23 years old. For the first time, the story
of one man’s journey to seek justice for the murder on behalf of Amancio’s
family and friends is revealed in this intriguing documentary AMANCIO...Two
Faces on a Tombstone created by award winning documentary filmmaker Tom
Murray.
Well known in clubs throughout northern Mexico and the Southwest for his
performance work of female impersonation, Amancio was dressed as a woman the
night he died. His amazing talent to recreate popular female singers on
stage went above and beyond his contemporaries. While there seemed to be an
initial flurry of interest in the murder, soon the incident began to fade
from Yuma headlines. Was this a random event? Was this a hate crime? Would
any evidence or clues be found that would lead to the murderer? Sensing that
there was apathy on the part of local law enforcement area resident Michael
Baughman became concerned, and believed that justice would not be served
unless someone took action.
AMANCIO...Two Faces on a Tombstone contains interviews with Amancio’s family
and friends and follows the three-year journey local activist Michael
Baughman took seeking justice on behalf of a young man he had never met.
Filmed in Yuma, one of America’s hottest and driest locations, the
documentary offers a fascinating and poignant look into a community forced
to confront issues not often discussed such as sexual orientation and gender
expression. Could justice be served in this environment?
Presented by Downtown Loft Studio and Compass, in association with The
Amancio Project, the Yuma County Gay Rights Meetup, the Yuma Art Center and
the Yuma Film Commission.
Background Information:
http://www.TheAmancioProject.org
(original site)
|
|
I was born in the wee hours early in January on
the Mojave Desert literally. My father, after being injured on the job as an
engineer for the Southern Pacific Railroad was in a hospital in San
Francisco. My grandmother, who was visiting and awaiting my arrival, helped
to deliver me under a snow covered Joshua tree. I weighted eight pounds
eleven ounces, the largest of my mom’s children (I have an older brother and
two older sisters; one is now deceased as are my parents). After they
finally arrived at the hospital, my mom telephoned my dad to tell him of the
happy news and asked what name he would like. Mom told him if he did not
come up with a name by the evening, she would name me Michael, after the
arch-angel in the Bible. He never called.
My early childhood was energetic. Living in a small town on the desert and
being from a railroad family had its rewards. There was ample free space to
roam and explore and as I got older I road my pony, Nache, everywhere with
my trusty black mutt of a dog Tootles running alongside; even to school
which was one room with one teacher who taught all twelve grades.
It was a gracious time when kids who were part of the close-knit railroad
community could ride on any train to anywhere for free (conductors and
porters all knew us and kept us safe). It was not uncommon for some of my
friends and I to hop on the Starlight Express Streamliner which passed
through Mojave and go as far as Bakersfield, California, then return. The
route took us into the Tehachapi Mountains where we would count the tunnels
as we went through them. There was always a competition amongst us chaps to
see who would spot the time the engine and the last car were on top of each
other – anyone who has been on “the loop” knows what I’m talking about.
Around age 10 the family moved to a small town outside of Fresno,
California, called Pinedale. I was rather precocious and quickly made
friends and found my way to the San Joaquin River which became my
play-ground; hunting rabbits, building forts, skinny-dipping and relaxing
under a hot lazy sun on bright white sand.
Around age 12 my family moved into Fresno and lived close to an industrial
area with a Coke-a-Cola Bottling Plant across the street (this is where I
probably got hooked on Coke-a-Cola (the workers used to leave a couple of
cases out every night for us to “steal” – it’s my favorite soda still today,
preferably with several generous dollops of vanilla ice cream)).
The train yards were a stones-throw away from my bedroom. It was there while
tossing small rocks at a can I met Mac, a tall lanky chap with a quick wit,
who quickly become my best friend (we are still friends today). The two of
us were inseparable. We made a good team; I was small … skinny really … a
target for “would be” bullies, and Mac was big and strong yet soft spoken.
You did not mess with me lest you incur the wrath of Mac.
l quickly made a name for himself in all the school’s art fields. I was Art
Editor of the Yearbook, won both competitions for the school’s Victory Flag
and Senior Plaque as well as designer of the tile “R” for the school’s
auditorium. It was also around this time I began to realize I was gay
although there was no word for it except ugly ones. Fortunately for me I had
progressive parents, especially my dad and they allowed me to explore and
talk about my feelings without condemnation or ridicule but with a
protective eye.
This was a most confusing time because I also met my first real girl friend
and boy friend about the same time. I remember clearly thinking how much my
mom wanted me to go out with the girl, but my body nudged me toward the teen
boy who had confessed the same confusing feelings. The situation was
somewhat resolved by double dating; he and I would take the gals home early
so we could have a “sleep-over.” Oddly, given the era, my close friends
accepted my “odd fondness for this guy.” It was not long before I met others
in and out of high school. But, I could never quite understand why everyone
needed to be so secretive … I wasn’t; which caused some dismay amongst these
new found friends.
After high school I joined the United States Army to see the world. My basic
training was at Fort Ord on the California coast. I excelled in my studies
and was soon promoted to squad leader. I never forgot something my dad had
taught me as I was growing up, “Son, if you do just a little bit more than
the others around you, it will reap huge rewards.” That was so true in the
Army.
My fist posting after basic was Fort Belvoir, Virginia, were I was trained
to maintain and launch missiles stored in underground silos. I still chuckle
about this because when I finished my expensive training there, I was sent
to Germany were there were no missiles in the ground. As has proved
throughout my life, this was really a good thing; I was offered a position
in the S-1 Office of Headquarters. Soon I was promoted to Courts and Boards
clerk where I received the first of several Commendations, this one for
over-hauling the way the Army handled soldier’s indebtedness. My legal
creativeness and attention to detail soon caught the eye of still another
higher headquarters and I was soon transferred to Seventh Army Artillery to
form a new legal office. I received the Army Commendation Medal for my
efforts and my Commanding General recommended me for Warrant Officer
Training in Legal Administration. It was at this station I decided to take a
weekend and go over to Frankfurt … I’d heard there were clubs there that
only guys who liked other guys went to. When I stepped across that
threshold, it was like all the weight in the world drained out through my
toes. My gosh, a whole room full of guys with desires like mine. It was like
coming out for a second time. I also met my first real “gay” boyfriend. I
was also presented with my first true understanding that while in the Army I
was gonna have to keep my adventurous rendezvous with him a secret –
something that did not set well with me and probably was when the seeds of
my activism were planted and took root.
While my application for Warrant Officer made its way up though the Army’s
many chains of command, my tour of duty in Germany came to a close and I was
offered two positions stateside at Fort Bragg, North Carolina: one with the
101st Airborne Division’s Judge Advocates General Office (JAG) and the other
with the Fort Bragg’s JAG Corps. The 101st looked good, but when I found out
I would have to jump out of airplanes, I choose the latter without a second
thought.
The end of my three year enlistment and my application for Warrant Officer
collided and I had to choose whether to stay in the Army or get out. I made
the Army an offer: “Give me my commission and you’ll have me automatically
for six years.” The Army said there were no “slots” at that time but if I
re-enlist one will open up soon. I’d not spent over two years in the JAG
field not to see what was really going on so I decided to get out. Make not
mistake about it, l do not regret a moment of my Army stint. The Army taught
me allot about human nature, organization, how to get ahead and navigate the
“corporate-style” pit-falls in life.
When I left North Carolina I piled all my belongings into my new fire-engine
red Mercury Comet Caliente Coupe and hit the road for Fresno when I decided
to stop off in Houston to visit a friend (the guy who took me to the bar in
Frankfurt, Germany). I fell in love with Houston and decided to make it my
home. Much to my chagrin, and as a lark, I did a little high-class hustling
out of the Red Room, a bar which catered to a well educated older class.
That only lasted about a month and I was hired by a prestigious freight
forwarding firm where I advanced quickly over the next several years to Head
of Operations. I was about to take charge of the Corpus Christi Office when
a blood vessel burst in my brain.
This single event was to transform my life forever. One evening I went to
bed in my recently purchased home and four days later I woke up in a
hospital unable to remember my mom’s name, walk or speak. It was a miracle I
survived; 99.9% of the people this happens to die immediately. My mom and
dad were told I would not survive the operation and if I did, I’d pretty
much be a vegetable, certainly never be able to walk or talk again. Well I
wasn’t having any of that nonsense.
When I was able to travel, my folks took me home to Fresno for my recovery.
They were going to have to raise their son for a second time! It was an
arduous process; hours of physical therapy and physiological help to adjust
to being a whole new person. I recovered quickly and while out with a good
friend, I met the one true love of my life, Tom, who was sitting on the hood
of a car waiting for after-hours to kick off.
Tom was an intelligent understanding chap and patiently dealt with my
physical limitations making sure I was taking my medications and driving me
often to the many doctors and therapists I needed to see. We truly made a
lovely couple; we were monogamous and set the bar for many young gay couples
around us. We entertained often and our annual New Years Day Brunch was the
“hot ticket” in town and always started the New Year off with great promise
and adventure. Tom’s mom and family knew about him and they were very
pleased we had found each other. With our dog Moose and cat Mrs. Munger (she
showed-up on our door step one day and never went away – we lived on Munger
Street) we made a very comfortable, and respectable, nucleolus family, at
least in our eyes.
Seventeen years later Tom died in a tragic auto accident. I took this
opportunity to move to Yuma, Arizona, to be closer to my dad who was dying
and whom I loved dearly. After my father’s death, I stayed on to help my mom
through her grieving process … and mine also. It was during this time I fell
in love with the Yuma area and its wide desert escapes, old abandoned mines,
pictographs, intaglios and the people. Yuma only had 44,000 permanent
residents living in it, but had a robust gay life and a community that
didn’t much care who you slept with as long as you were honest about it and
yourself.
As I was encouraged to do so early in life by my folks, I immersed myself in
my new community. I sat on several non-profit boards, was the treasurer of
the Yuma Fine Arts (twice), President of Guest Artist Performances, started
my own catering business and worked with disadvantaged youth through Big
Brothers and Big Sisters (even before there really was an official Big
Brothers Big Sisters). When it became clear HIV/AIDS had reared its ugly
little head in Yuma, I started the first HIV/AIDS awareness group, giving
out information and inviting my own doctor and other health officials to
speak. Our gay bar at the time was very helpful, opening its doors on
Saturday mornings so we could get the word out.
I am also an alcoholic. Not the fall down sloppy kind, but the fun kind one
enjoyed being around. Fortunately I realized early I had a problem with
booze and joined Alcoholics Anonymous and have been sober for over 25 years.
Changes had to be made however, and one of them was to disband my catering
business – only another alcoholic will truly understand my decision.
Fate shined its light on me again as I was closing down the catering
business. Some very good friends, who I still have Thanksgiving Dinner with
each year, asked me to manage the first gourmet coffee, tea, spice and
kitchenware shop in Yuma – The Spice Company.
Through the years I’ve championed many causes but it was the murder of
Amancio Corrales in May of 2005 that had the most far reaching effect on my
life although I didn’t quite realize just how much at the time.
I was getting so mad no one was doing anything about this crime and some
really ridiculous misinformation was going around, I founded The Amancio
Project, a community organization established in June 2005 to provide
support for the family of Amancio Corrales and the Yuma Gay, Lesbian,
Bi-sexual and Transgender (GLBT) community.
Amancio was a 23-year-old gay man and female impersonator brutally murdered
May 6, 2005. His battered body was found floating in the Colorado River near
Yuma. The crime sent shockwaves through the community of Yuma that were felt
throughout the state of Arizona and beyond. The Yuma-area GLBT community was
especially impacted.
As the founder of the local Yuma County Gay Rights Meetup group, I quickly
stepped in to help bring the community and the surviving family together to
collectively mourn and process their emotions during this difficult time. I
emphasized supporting the family. I found allies and collaborated with
Equality Arizona (then Arizona Human Rights Fund/Foundation), Wingspan,
Arizona Leadership Institute, HRC, United Church of Christ of Yuma, and
Southern Arizona Gender Alliance to form a coalition to rally against
bias-based violence.
As a Project, we organized several community events and vigils to bring the
community and family together. I utilized the local and statewide media to
get the coalition’s message against violence out to the community-at-large.
I organized a strong Yuma delegation to go to the Arizona State Capitol for
a vigil, where a representative of Governor Napolitano’s office spoke, as
well as State Representative Kyrsten Sinema and State Senator Bob Cannell
among others. At a previous riverside vigil in Yuma, I brought Kyrsten,
nationally-recognized transgender activist Donna Rose, and a representative
from Congressman Grijalva’s office together to bring attention to this
tragic event.
Because of this attention, Yuma was introduced to the GLBT community and
them to Yuma and the movement to end bias-motivated violence. Since then,
community members have openly asked GLBT-related questions to candidates
running for local office, something that is new and an important step to
securing equality in Yuma and statewide. Also, the state and the rest of the
nation were introduced to Yuma and Yuma’s GLBT community. Amancio’s story
was even used in testimony during a U.S. House committee hearing on federal
hate crimes legislation in 2005 and is in the Congressional Record.
Amancio’s story is still remembered and is still having an impact. In a
lobbying meeting with Congressman Grijalva in October 2007, I mentioned
Amancio and talked about the need to pass legislation protecting the GLBT
community.
The Arizona Republic, as well as all five of Phoenix’s television stations
have run stories on my efforts. Stories have also appeared in ECHO Magazine,
‘ntouch Magazine and the Advocate Newspaper as well as all Yuma media
outlets.
Since Amancio’s murder, I have continued to be an outspoken ally and
supporter of Amancio’s family. I volunteered a significant number of hours
advocating for the family with the Sheriff’s Office. When the Sheriff was
reluctant to speak with the family, and refusing to speak with the GLBT
community, I organized a meeting with the Yuma County Sheriff and then-State
Representative Amanda Aguirre to demand they communicate with the family.
I’ve also built relationships with Yuma’s two newly-elected state
Representatives, and on the 2nd anniversary of Amancio’s murder, State
Representative Theresa Ulmer called for a moment of silence on the floor of
the House of Representatives to honor Amancio and all victims of anti-GLBT
violence.
One of the most important victories for the family and me was the
apprehension of a suspect in the murder of Amancio. Shortly after a
community vigil on the 2nd anniversary of Amancio’s murder, an anonymous tip
was given to the Sheriff’s Office. It is reported the person who came
forward with the information did so because they saw how Amancio’s mother
was suffering. Local television news stations brought the images of
Amancio’s mother and family crying at community vigils. For the longest
time, at the direction of the Sheriff’s office, Amancio’s family avoided
speaking to the community through the media. When it became clear things
were moving too slowly, I encouraged them to speak out, coaching them on
using the media to call attention to Amancio’s murder. The Yuma County
Persecutor said in open court and on the court record, I deserve much of the
credit for the apprehension of the murder suspect, much more than the
Sheriff’s Office, who, on the 2nd anniversary of Amancio’s murder, had
publicly stated the case was a cold case. One does not step up in search of
recognition, but it is nice to be patted on the back once in awhile for
standing up and saying, “Enough is enough!”
My efforts continue today. The suspect is now in prison after being
convicted of Manslaughter with aggravated circumstances and is serving a
term of eight and three-quarters years for the death of Amancio. The family
and I have spent over a year traversing the legal ups and downs. We were not
at all happy with the plea bargain. But our vigorous and vocal actions got
more than was originally offered.
There are other sides to my story – I’ve been an advocate for local students
assisting them in forming the first Gay Straight Alliance (GSA); I’ve been
active locally in the political scene as a Precinct 21 Committee person; I
was named Big Brother of the Year, first for the City of Yuma and the
following year, for Arizona, and currently mentor a Traumatic Brain Injured
(TBI) disabled young man. I’ve been a mentor to many disadvantaged youths in
Yuma, advocating for their rights and instilling in them a sense of
self-worth. I’m a Surrogate Parent with the Arizona Department of Education
watching out for the rights of babies age 0 through 3 years of age. And most
recently, helped to form the first PFLAG Chapter in Yuma.
My activist efforts span decades in Yuma from forming the first AIDS
Awareness Group over 25 years ago (which is now the Yuma AIDS Project
through the Department of Health) to this documentary spotlighting my
efforts with The Amancio Project by award winning GLBT Documentary film
maker, Mr. T. Joe Murray. On June 5th, 2010, I received Equality Arizona's Activist of the
Year Award for Southern Arizona; an honor I prefer to share
with
all "down in the trenches" grass-roots Yuma organizers. This is
the first GLBT award for Yuma.
I continue to work with the Yuma County Gay Rights Meetup and, along with
The Amancio Project, am now part of a state-wide GLBT activist group to
address the issues necessary to retain current civil and human rights and
secure future rights for Yuma’s GLBT residents.
I still live by one axiom taught me by my dad when I was learning how to
drive, “Son, you can’t get a speeding ticket if you don’t speed.”
Extrapolate the meaning behind that simple bit of folksy wisdom, and it will
serve you well in any situation no matter how difficult it is. It really
does make life simple.
Above all else though, when you see an injustice, please don’t say to
yourself, “Someone should do something about that.” Jump in head first and
do something about it. The personal rewards and good feelings that come from
it know no boundaries.
Michael H. Baughman. |
Compass
aims to diminish stereotypes by challenging long-standing misconceptions
about the character of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.
We accomplish this by emboldening our youth, promoting pride in our
community, and acting as an educator, advocate, health service provider, and
focal point for community organizing. As good neighbors, effective
partners, and respected participants in our civic responsibilities, Compass
promotes awareness of the caring nature of our diverse community.
Downtown
Loft Studio (DTLS) was established in 2007 by Bruce Presley after the sale
of his successful, 30-year old publishing business, Lawrenceville Press. DTLS
has a two-fold mission: to support young photographers with marketing and
artistic assistance; and to produce video documentaries, usually in
collaboration with non-profit organizations. DTLS’ first film AMANCIO...Two
faces on a Tombstone is scheduled for release in 2009 and is being jointly
produced by DLTS and Compass, Inc., the Palm Beach County (FL) gay and
lesbian community center. DTLS has offices in New York and Fort Lauderdale
and headquarters in Lantana, Florida.