Gay Today: World

Activists Agitated by
Milwaukee Latina Woman's Murder

Compiled By GayToday

LLEGÓ Executive Director Martín Ornelas-Quintero

Milwaukee, Wisconsin-Appeals to Milwaukee's district attorney to file hate charges in the murder of Juana Vega have been issued by Milwaukee activists, LLEGÓ, the National Latina/o Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Organization, the Human Rights Campaign and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.

"We urge the District Attorney to prosecute this human tragedy as a hate crime to guarantee fairness and equality under the law," said HRC National Field Director Seth Kilbourn. "Not only will this ensure fairness for this particular case, it will send the message that hate violence is not tolerated in Wisconsin."

LLEGÓ Executive Director Martín Ornelas-Quintero stated:

"DA and police officials must look into all variables associated with Vega's murder, and act accordingly with Wisconsin State Law. Legal authorities should also ensure Vega's family right to a fair and expeditious process."

Juana Vega died on November 11 of multiple gunshot wounds to her face and chest. Pablo Parrilla, the brother of Vega's then-girlfriend Melodia "Ria" Parrilla, assaulted Vega and shot her five times at point-blank range.

Pablo Parrilla objected to the relationship, and often used derogatory epithets to reference the couple. He reportedly threatened to kill Vega for "turning his sister gay."

LLEGÓ responded to the case by providing on-site support to local organizers, and by sending letters to the district attorney and Wisconsin state officials urging for compliance with Wisconsin's Hate Crimes Law.

LLEGÓ also assisted in the development of a vigil for Juana, mobilizing constituents, and in providing a presence at a meeting between the district attorney and the Vega family to ensure that hate crime charges were applied.

HRC has sent letters to the mayor, county executive and the district attorney urging them to fully investigate the case and to prosecute the case under Wisconsin's hate crimes law. If applied, the case would be the first in Milwaukee's history to apply Wisconsin's hate crimes law as it applies to sexual orientation.

Juana Vega was a 36-year-old, Mexican-American lesbian. She was an entrepreneur and former owner of The Biker's Express, a bike messenger service in Milwaukee, and a self-employed painter and chef. She was also an active member of Las Americas Without Borders, a social organization for LGBT Latinos in Milwaukee.

Related Stories from the GayToday Archive:
Milwaukee Lesbian, Juana Vega: Hate Crime Murder Victim

Action Alert: National Hate Crimes Prevention Act

Ad Campaign Critiques Bush and Hate Crime Opponents

Related Sites:
National Latina/o Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Organization

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While serious crime overall is down, reported hate crimes based on sexual orientation continue to increase. According to the FBI's annual crime report for 2000, the latest year for which hate crimes data is available, 16.3 percent of the nation's hate crimes were based on sexual orientation. This is an increase of 0.9 percent from reported hate crimes in 1999.