Campaign Unavailable

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.