The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs ( NCAVP ) is deeply saddened by report of the torture and homicide of 8-year old Gabriel Fernandez, in Los Angeles, California. The homicide occurred in May 2013, however the motive and details of the killing are only now coming to light in a trial. According to local media accounts, Pearl Fernandez, Gabriel's mother, and her boyfriend Sauro Aguirre subjected Gabriel to severe child abuse and neglect, torture, and frequent beatings that resulted in his death, in part because he played with dolls. Fernandez and Aguirre called Gabriel gay as a part of their verbal abuse.
This is the fourth high profile anti-LGBTQ family violence homicide that NCAVP has tracked in 2014. Britney Cosby and Crystal Jackson were found dead in Galveston County, Texas behind a convenience store. According to local media accounts, the father of Britney Cosby, James Cosby, has been arrested for evidence tampering in relationship to the case, charges that might be upgraded to capital murder. In Tigard, Oregon, Jessica Dutro was sentenced due to subjecting her son, 4-year old Zachary Dutro-Boggess, to frequent and severe beatings that resulted in his death because she believed he was gay. In Pickens County, Alabama, Anita Hill was arrested in April and charged with shooting her son's boyfriend of four years.
The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs ( NCAVP ) most recent report, Hate Violence Against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer ( LGBTQ ) and HIV-Affected Communities in the United States in 2012, documented 25 anti-LGBTQ homicides.
"We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of Gabriel Fernandez," said Osman Ahmed, NCAVP's Research and Education Coordinator at the New York City Anti-Violence Project. "While we know that violence against LGBTQ people is all too common, the killing of an eight year old because he did not conform to societal gender norms shines a glaring light on the way a culture of violence affects our communities, even in our homes."
NCAVP has reached out to local member program, the Los Angeles LGBT Center, to raise awareness of this homicide and to support the local communities affected by this violence. "Children who do not conform to societal expectations of gender identity are often the victims of harassment, abuse and violence," said Roger Coggan, Director of Legal Services at the Los Angeles LGBT Center. "This is inexcusable. It is also tragic that many do not pay attention to this violence until it is manifested in its most extreme formsin this case the torture and death of an eight year old child."
NCAVP is a resource for anyone who experiences violence. For more information, or to locate an antiviolence program in your area, please contact us at info@ncavp.org or visit us online. Join NCAVP in our efforts to prevent and respond to LGBTQ and HIV-affected violence. To learn more about our national advocacy and receive technical assistance or support, contact us at info@ncavp.org .
If you are a member of the media, please contact:
Gil Diaz, Los Angeles LGBT Center: gdiaz@lalgbtcenter.org or ( 323 )993-7604 .
Sharon Stapel, New York City Anti-Violence Project: sstapel@avp.org or ( 212 )714-1184 .
NCAVP works to prevent, respond to, and end all forms of violence against and within lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer ( LGBTQ ) and HIV-affected communities. NCAVP is a national coalition of local member programs and affiliate organizations who create systemic and social change. NCAVP is a program of the New York City Anti-Violence Project.