"The Amancio Corrales Act"

is Designed to Protect Victims of Anti-Transgender and Anti-Gender Variant Violence

The Amancio Project

P.O. Box 4116, Yuma, Arizona 85366-4116

www.TheAmancioProject.org

February 15, 2008

Dear Amancio Supporter:

Subject: Amancio Corrales Act (SB1483/HB2752)

On May 5, 2005, Amancio Corrales' brutally battered body was found floating in the Colorado River near Yuma. Just a few days earlier, the former Phoenix-resident had returned to his hometown to be close to his supportive and loving family. As a gay man and gender performer, Amancio was very likely the victim of a crime motivated by bias based on his expression. At the time that he was murdered, Amancio was dressed as a woman.

Victims of anti-transgender and anti-gender variant violence face some of the most brutal attacks because of who they are and how they express themselves. They are targeted by their attackers simply because of their gender identity or expression.

Right now, Arizona law requires the Department of Public Safety to collect data on crimes motivated by prejudice. Additionally, judges have the ability to enhance a sentence when someone is convicted of a crime that is motivated by bias. While sexual orientation is already included in the list of protected classes, gender identity or expression is not.

The Amancio Corrales Act (SB 1483 & HB 2752) would add gender identity or expression to the list of protected classes in the current hate crimes statute. Not only would it require DPS to collect information on anti-transgender and anti-gender variant violence, it would allow local law enforcement to prosecute these crimes more effectively.

What's At Stake?

Amancio Corrales Act (SB1483/HB2752)

If this law does not pass, Arizona law enforcement officials and prosecutors will not be able to investigate anti-transgender and anti-gender variant crimes as hate crimes.
This law would allow judges to enhance the sentence of a criminals who are proven guilty of targeting their victims because of their gender identity or expression.
By enacting this law, the state would send a strong message that hate violence is not acceptable and will not be tolerated.

Talking Points:

State law already requires the Department of Public Safety to collect data on hate crimes, but gender identity or expression is not yet included in the list of protected classes.
Victims of anti-transgender and anti-gender variant violence often face some of the most brutal attacks.
This bill strengthens the ability of law enforcement to prosecute crimes motivated by bias, while honoring the life and spirit of Amancio Corrales and other victims of bias-motivated crimes.

For your connivance, go to http://eqfed.org/campaign/amancio and the following suggested letter with editing capabilities will be sent for you. Just fill in your name, address and email address, then click “Send This Message” and it’s done. Easy! And, Equality Arizona can keep a tally of how many emails were sent from Yuma County.

Suggested email or letter:

Subject: Please honor Amancio Corrales; support HB2752 & SB1483

Dear [ Decision Maker ],

On May 6, 2005, Amancio Corrales' brutally battered body was found floating in the Colorado River near Yuma. Just a few days earlier, the former Phoenix-resident had returned to his hometown to be close to his supportive and loving family.

As a gay man and gender performer, Amancio was very likely the victim of a crime motivated by bias based on his gender identity or expression. At the time that he was murdered, Amancio was dressed as a woman; his murderer most likely became enraged by his gender variance.

Victims of anti-transgender and anti-gender variant violence face some of the most brutal attacks because of who they are and how they express themselves. Their attackers target them simply because of their identity.

Right now, Arizona law requires the Department of Public Safety to collect data on crimes motivated by prejudice, but gender identity and expression is not yet included in the list of classes. You have an opportunity to change that by supporting SB 1483 and HB 2752.

Amancio Corrales' spirit is carried on by his family and supporters across the state. Please help honor his life and the lives of all victims of bias-motivated violence by supporting SB 1483 and HB 2752 and doing whatever you can to bring it to a vote before the full House and Senate.

In loving memory,
[Your name]
[Your address]

Representative Theresa Ulmer (D-24) and Representative Lynne Pancrazi (D-AZ 24th) represent Yuma County and you at the State level and are both on the committee it has been assigned to: Natural Resources and Public Safety. They, along with Senator Amanda Aguirre (D-24) have been strong supporters on our interests. I am sure they would appreciate hearing from you.

Additional Background may be found on The Amancio Project web page including recent article in the Yuma Daily Sun entitled “Advocacy group introduces hate-crime bill named after murdered Yuman”.

If you wish to be placed on The Amancio Project mailing list so you will be stay informed as events unfold, drop me a note with your name and email address at theamancioproject@gmail.com. Any information you provide will be kept in the strictest confidence.

Please forward this letter to everyone on your mailing list.

Very sincerely yours,

Michael H. Baughman

Founder