Bail hearing for murderer of BC trans woman Jan. 7; Awareness rally planned for Jan. 5.

Rally planned for murder victim January Marie Lapuz

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — The accused murderer of New Westminster trans woman January Marie Lapuz has a bail hearing Monday Jan. 7th according to the Canadian LGBT publication Xtra!

A news search resulted in no additional information about the accused, Charles Jameson “Jamie” Mungo Neel, since I wrote of his arrest earlier in December. However, in both the Xtra! article and on social media, there were concerns of the possible release of Neel during the hearing. However, as far as I can tell, these concerns were not based on recent developments, perhaps from the DA or the police, but rather, trans advocates’ stance of ‘categoric opposition to bail for accused murderers of trans people.’

That latter point was made by Leada Stray, one of the organizers of a rally to be held on Lapuz’s behalf two days before the hearing. Strays says they’re not asking people to pass judgement before Neel gets a fair trial, but rather, drive home the message that trans people are not safe in a country supposedly known for its pro-LGBT stance and leadership.

New Westminster Councillor Jaimie McEvoy is among the people planning to attend the rally: “I think it’s important when you have a group of people in society — who as a group are among the most disadvantaged in Greater Vancouver — I think it’s important for anybody to show their support.”

Full details about the rally: https://www.facebook.com/events/286153181487577/

More on the arrest and murder of January Marie Lapuz: http://lexiecannes.wordpress.com/2012/12/06/arrest-made-in-september-killing-of-british-columbia-trans-woman/

More rally information from Xtra!: http://www.xtra.ca/public/Vancouver/Rally_planned_for_New_West_trans_murder-12989.aspx

Rally planned for murder victim January Marie Lapuz

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Filed under: Deaths, Murder, Judicial, Courts, Transgender, Transsexual, Trans, bc, Charles Jameson "Jamie" Mungo Neel, Councillor Jaimie McEvoy, January Marie Lapuz, Leada Stray, New Westminster, vancouver

Arrest made in September killing of British Columbian trans woman

January Marie Lapuz (Photo: Facebook)

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — New Westminster, BC police charged Charles Jameson “Jamie” Neel with the September 30th killing of trans woman January Marie Lapuz. After being found at her home stabbed, Lapuz later died at a hospital. Other than adding that Neel has no criminal record and that they are still looking for a motive, the police made no further comment.

I checked several other Vancouver BC area news sources and there is no further information available at this time.

I wrote about Lapuz’ death two months ago, this is what people said about her:

“She would volunteer as a host at our social events, help us out with fundraising and she’d even perform. … She did a great Beyonce and she was a great singer and dancer. She was the life of the party. She made everybody laugh. We already miss her a lot.” . . . “The obstacles she overcame as an immigrant, as a transgender person, as a person in poverty … she really overcame a lot. …

More: http://lexiecannes.wordpress.com/2012/10/04/trans-woman-murdered-in-the-vancouver-british-columbia-canada-area/

Lapuz was also on my TDOR 2012 list: http://lexiecannes.wordpress.com/2012/11/19/courtney-odonnell-transgender-day-of-remembrance-a-reporters-list/

Arrest info (not much more than what I’ve already shared): Man charged in Sept. 30 slaying of New Westminster woman.

I’ll keep you updated.

January Marie Lapuz (Photo: Facebook)

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You’re welcome to share this entire article!
Follow this topic on Lexie Cannes’ Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/lexiecannes
Support this site, get the transgender-themed feature film “Lexie Cannes“ DVD here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0963781332
The Guerrilla Angel Report is associated with Wipe Out Transphobia: http://www.wipeouttransphobia.com/

Filed under: Deaths, Murder, Transgender, Transsexual, Trans, bc, Canada), Charles Jameson “Jamie” Neel, January Marie Lapuz, New Westminster, vancouver

Trans woman murdered in the Vancouver, British Columbia (Canada) area

January Marie Lapuz (Photo: Facebook)

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — January Marie Lapuz was stabbed at her home in the New Westminster area last Saturday night and died at a hospital shortly after. No one has been arrested but someone was seen running from the area.

Lapuz was highly regarded in the trans community, volunteering her time and active involvement in a LGBT social and support group. Lapuz moved to the area from the Phillipines and spoke 3 languages.

Sher Vancouver’s Alex Sangha: “She would volunteer as a host at our social events, help us out with fundraising and she’d even perform. … She did a great Beyonce and she was a great singer and dancer. She was the life of the party. She made everybody laugh. We already miss her a lot.” . . . “The obstacles she overcame as an immigrant, as a transgender person, as a person in poverty … she really overcame a lot. … I learned that society is not providing enough supports for people like January Marie.”

The police do not know why she was killed but report they do have some details that they don’t wish to release at this time. They also reported that she was a sometimes sex worker.

Police are looking a mid 20s Asian male, five foot five inches, short black hair, and muscular build, He was wearing gray shorts and a black muscle shirt. The police are asking for the public’s help, call 1-877-551-4448 or by email to ihittipline@rcmp-grc.gc.ca. Anonymous tips: CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

January Marie Lapuz (Photo: Facebook)

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Filed under: Deaths, Murder, Law Enforcement, Police, Transgender, Transsexual, Trans, Alex Sangha, British Columbia, Canada), January Marie Lapuz, Sher Vancouver, vancouver

No, Sabrina, she is NOT ‘still a boy!’

Trans woman Norma Bellhorn files a claim with Washington State HRC (Photo: KGW-TV)

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — With the cameras rolling and a TV reporter holding a microphone, rational people keep their mouth shut instead of spilling their ignorance for all to witness. But Vancouver, Washington, bartender Sabrina Brenneise was quick to share to the world that when she doesn’t know the facts, she’ll just make something up.

No, Sabrina, when a trans woman presents as a woman, especially if she’s on HRT (hormone replacement therapy), she’s NOT ‘still a boy”.

This all stemmed from trans woman Norma Bellhorn being denied access to the women’s room at the bar where Sabrina barkeeps. “Legends Food and Fun” is the name of the place and it is located in the Hazel Dell area of Vancouver, Washington. Bellhorn, who is on HRT, is ahead of the curve here though, she has already filed a discrimination claim with the Washington State Human Rights Commission.

While Sabrina Brenneise claims to have ‘no problems’ with Bellhorn being transgender, she also said this: “It’s the fact that she’s still a boy and she wants to go in the woman’s restroom . . .” Never mind the contradiction here, I want to know if she does a pants check with all customers using the women’s room to make sure none of those ‘still a boys’ sneak in.

Stay tuned.

[Trigger warning] Transgender customer denied restroom access | NWCN.com Washington – Oregon – Idaho.

Legends bartender Sabrina Brenneise says trans woman customer ‘still a boy!’ (Photo: KGW-TV)

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Filed under: Discrimination, Equality, Civil Rights, SRS, Sex Reassignment Surgery, Transgender, Transsexual, Trans, bathroom, hazel dell, human rights commission, Legends Food and Fun, Norma Bellhorn, Sabrina Brenneise, vancouver, Washington

LGBT rights activist says trans beauty contestant Jenna Talackova doesn’t deserve pride parade grand marshal honor

Jenna Talackova (Photo: LA Times)

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — Sorry, but you couldn’t be more wrong! As I came to realize myself, we couldn’t BUY the kind of widespread positive publicity and good will directed our way as a result of transgender contestant Jenna Talackova’s participation in the Miss Universe Canada pageant.

Vancouver, BC (Canada) LGBT rights activist Jamie Lee Hamilton:  “I respect her for that [entering the pageant after being outed], but really she was entering a beauty contest that has never done anything for the gay, lesbian and transgendered community.”

Hamilton says more deserving of the honor are LGBT activists fighting the spread of HIV or those pushing for the inclusion of SRS in medical coverage. Clearly, all people who participate actively for the betterment of our community are deserving of this honor. What we should not be doing is start setting criteria that must be met before one can be a grand marshal — trans people, especially, tire of having to meet criteria for one thing or another.

The other thing — reaching the masses through popular culture is something that works really well — almost too well. The whole trans thing is a bit hard for some in our society to swallow, so if it goes down better with a beauty pageant, serve it up, I say!

I previously wrote about Jenna Talackova for The Huffington Post: http://lexiecannes.wordpress.com/2012/05/22/courtney-odonnell-why-i-did-an-about-face-and-boarded-the-jenna-talackova-pr-train/

More about the Vancouver BC Pride Parade: Transgender beauty contestant to lead Vancouver Pride parade – British Columbia – CBC News.

Jenna Talackova being discussed on national TV. How much would it cost to BUY this kind of time in front of millions of viewers? (Photo: ABC-TV)

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Filed under: Transgender, Transsexual, Trans, bc, grand marshal, Jamie Lee Hamilton, Jenna Talackova, parade, pride, vancouver