The Colorado Anti-Violence Program (CAVP) adds its voice to those of other state and local organizations mourning the loss of Fred Martinez Jr. Martinez's body was found in Cortez, Colorado on June 21, 2001, the apparent victim of homicide. Montezuma County and Cortez law enforcement, along with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, are determining whether the murder of the 16-year-old Navajo who identified as gay was motivated by bias.

Although Martinez's death has not yet been designated a hate crime by investigators, the impact of this murder on the LGBT community in the Four Corners' area and throughout Colorado has been intense, given the broader context of targeting based on identity that occurs in the state. Incidents of anti-LGBT violence reported to the CAVP have increased steadily every year for the past 5 years, as documented in the annual report of the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs, the only direct service organization that tracks violence against the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and hiv+ communities.

The CAVP has been working closely with members of the Four Corners Gay and Lesbian Alliance for Diversity (4CGLAD) to provide both technical assistance and support to the local lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community as they cope with their loss. "Targeting based on identity - any identity - has a profound effect on the community that shares that same identity," says Denise de Percin, Executive Director of the Colorado Anti-Violence Program. "There is a ripple effect that moves out through the community, and the level of secondary trauma is often profound and widespread. It is fortunate that there is such a strong local group to respond on so many different levels."

De Percin helped the Department of Justice/Community Relations Service train local law enforcement about hate crimes in Cortez in January 2000. Law enforcement members from the Cortez Police Department, the Montezuma Sheriff's Department, the Ute Reservation, and the FBI office in Durango all attended the intensive daylong training program, which included sessions on assessment, investigation, and community impact.

"The LGBT community is fortunate that law enforcement in Cortez took voluntary proactive steps to provide training for their officers over a year and a half ago" says de Percin. "The strong relationship established with the Police Department as a result of our training in Cortez has been critically important to trust and communication between the LGBT community and the police department during this very stressful time."

Inquiries concerning the investigation of Fred Martinez's death or local response should be directed to Kathy Keyes (970.264.0051) or John Peters-Campbell (970.564.0665) of 4CGLAD.

For information on statistics on anti-LGBT violence in Colorado, hate crimes, victim services, technical assistance or training, please contact Denise de Percin or Carter Klenk at the Colorado Anti-Violence Program (303.839.5204).