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Gay bar in Yuma update!
The owner of the Mineshaft Bar in Yuma has turned the old bar into a GAY BAR! This is the first gay bar in Yuma since The Alternative was shut down over 7 years ago. Kudos to all that have supported and made The Closet a success. More information on the club is here.
Original 2005 report on Amancio murder
FromThe Sun Newspaper Yuma, AZ
A Yuma man was found murdered in the Colorado River
Friday, May 6th, 2005. Amancio Corrales, 23, was found dead at 7 a.m. in the river about 500 yards west of Paradise Cove, behind Joe Henry Park.
"We can't specifically release (what killed him), but
it was from violent trauma," said Maj. Leon Wilmot,
with the Yuma County Sheriff's Office. He said the
murder likely occurred between midnight and early this
morning.
Sheriff's Capt. Eben Bratcher said the agency had to
be vague because the investigation was ongoing. He did
not have any information further information about
Corrales.
Bratcher said a passer-by saw articles of clothing and
blood in the river and called authorities. The body
was found submerged in shallow water.
"This is one of the crime scenes," Wilmot said. "There
may be another. It's unknown."
Paradise Cove is on the river just west of Joe Henry
Park, which is at 23rd Avenue and Colorado Street,
Bratcher said. He said the cove, which has a boat ramp
and picnic area, is federal land that has been closed
for years.
The case remains under investigation. The sheriff's
office would like information from anyone who saw
Corrales or knows of his whereabouts during the
evening hours Thursday and early morning hours Friday.
"We are most interested in speaking with anyone who
had seen Corrales or who he was with (Thursday)
night," Bratcher said.
Anyone with information concerning this crime is asked
to call lead Detective Raul Garcia at 783-4427.
Red's Birdcage: Homophobic?
Just recently a friend of mine was asked to leave the bar because his arm was around another male. This place is a breeding ground for the ultra homophobic crowd. So don't think the movie Birdcage and this bar have anything in common.
Online gay news for the Yuma area,
From the Greater Yuma GLBT Chamber of Commerce
(C) 2009. GayInYuma.com
All rights reserved.
Yuma County Sheriff's Office initially stated the murder of Amancio Corrales lended itself to a hate crime. This belief has since been ruled out.
Yuma Sun, Yuma, AZ
Amancio Corrales, a 23-year-old Yuma man who was dressed as a woman when he was murdered, may have been the victim of a hate crime, according to the Yuma County Sheriff's Office.
"A hate crime is not ruled out," Sheriff's Capt. Eben Bratcher said. "Until we find who did it, we don't know the motive. The situation lends itself for one to believe that's the case. Thinking someone is a woman and then finding out they were a man would not sit well with some people."
Bratcher said Corrales was dressed as a female while attempting to pass himself off as a woman at one or more local bars on the night of May 5. Bratcher said it was "a significant possibility" that Corrales left one of the bars with people who thought he was a woman.
Corrales' body was found May 6 submerged in shallow water about 500 feet west of Paradise Cove, just west of Yuma's Joe Henry Park. Corrales was born in Sinaloa, Mexico, and was a cosmetologist.
YCSO has said only that Corrales died as a result of "violent trauma." Bratcher declined to describe Corrales specific injuries.
Rumors in the community and on the Internet message boards have alleged that Corrales was brutally beaten to death, possibly even mutilated.
Bratcher said he had heard many of the rumors about the murder, several of which he said were not true. He said YCSO would prefer that people who believe they have information about the crime come and speak to the sheriff's investigators or call them at 783-4427.
Investigators would like to speak with anyone who might have seen Corrales the day or night before his body was found or who might have information about people who were with him.
YCSO has not identified any other crime scene in the murder besides Paradise Cove, according to Bratcher. "There was a lot more evidence at that scene, but we didn't treat this any differently than any other homicide," he said.
Have a news tip? E-mail us at:
HATE CRIME... or not?
Suspect in the Murder of Amancio Corrales Behind Bars After Two Years
MAY 23, 2007
Yuma, Arizona - On May 6, 2005, The Yuma County Sheriff's Office launched an investigation into the murder of Amancio Corrales, a female impersonator who was found murdered after allegedly spending the evening prior out at local bars. On May 23, 2007, at 1724 hours, investigators from the Yuma County Sheriff's Office made an arrest as a result of an anonymous tip from the public and the two year investigation into this case. Consistent efforts by The Amancio Project help to keep this case in the public eye and indirectly led us to this point.
Investigators arrested Ruben Solorio-Valenzuela, 23, of Yuma. Solorio was booked into the Yuma County Jail on one count of second degree homicide.
At his arraignment today during a brief description of his extensive criminal history and because of the nature of the crime and the possibility of being a flight risk a Bond of One Million Dollars was levied.
Anyone with any information concerning this case is urged to contact the Yuma County Sheriff's Office at 783-4427.
Yuma's gay & lesbian clubs exposed!
2009 OFFICIAL YUMA AREA
GAY BAR AND CLUB GUIDE.
All of Yuma's gay & lesbian bars/clubs are located in Mexico...Get your guide to these clubs by clicking below. (C) 2009.
The official 2009 Yuma gay friendly Yuma business list, what to do in Yuma on a gay date, events, photos, official Yuma, AZ gay guide, and so much more!
ORDER NOW: Yuma's top romantic places, 12 Yuma area day hikes, and more! Includes direct website links, complete driving directions, phone numbers, reservation information, mexico shopping information, and much more...
Including Signal Peak, Palm Canyon Trail, Picacho State Park,Telegraph Pass, Imperial National Wildlife Refuge, Mittry Lake, West Wetlands Park, Yuma Cactus Gardens, Yuma Valley Railroad, Yuma River Tours and much more! Only $9.00.
Vigils across Arizona held for Amancio
The vigil honoring the death of Amancio Corrales in Yuma on Saturday, June 25, 2005, at Yuma's Riverfront Park was a huge success. A Phoenix vigil was also held on August 6, 2005 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at the Arizona State Capitol, House of Representatives Lawn. The story has now received national attention.
What is the "Amancio Project?"
"The Amancio Project" is born in Yuma, Arizona. Amancio Corrales, 23, was murdered on May 6th. His body was found along the Colorado River, having suffered "violent trauma" and stab wounds to the heart.
The project, assisted by family members and close friends,consists of a coalition of concerned citizens from around Arizona to honor his memory and bring attention to the crime. He was a well known female impersonator in Arizona and Mexico; a faithful friend to all who knew him; a good brother to his family and known for his charity.
Further details on the Project will be forthcoming. The project is in cooperation with the Yuma County Gay Rights Meetup Group, United Church of Christ of Yuma, Arizona Leadership Institute (ALI), Arizona Human Rights Fund (AHRF), Wingspan, and Southern Arizona Gender Alliance (SAGA),. A vigil is also in the works and details will be released as they become available.
See TheAmancioProject.org for more details.
PlanetOut Message Board
on Amancio
GLBT support group formed at
Arizona Western College, Yuma, AZ
The group called the Speak Out For Equality Club has the support of administration and students alike and is a sign of changing times in Yuma.
Read full story HERE (courtesy of the Yuma Sun, Yuma, AZ)
VICTIM
in association with:
 | ||||
The YumaVoice
CAUGHT!
AFTER TWO YEARS POLICE ARREST SUSPECT
IN CORRALES MURDER...
GayInYuma.com Continuing Coverage
Friends of Amancio Speak Out on Arrest
Friends of Amancio Corrales, the gay 23 year-old female impersonator, who was murdered on May 6, 2005 just outside of Paradise Cove in Yuma, AZ, say they knew justice would prevail.
"After this happened we did not know what to think," a long-time friend of Amancio told GayInYuma.com. "But we never stopped caring and never gave up."
Amanico's friends played a big part in keeping the Yuma County Sheriff's investigation alive and providing support to both Amanico's family and the entire gay community over the past two years. Close friends of Amancio even created this myspace account paying tribute to Amanico. While friends may now be resting easier, they will never forget what happened and never be the same.
GayInYuma.com LOCAL REACTION
Ruben Solorio-Valenzuela
For the Yuma Sun's coverage of the Amancio murder, click HERE.
Plea agreement reached in Corrales murder
A plea agreement is being negotiated in the criminal case against Ruben Solorio Valenzuela, who is accused of the 2005 murder of Amancio Corrales.
"The case is in plea negotiations, but beyond that we can't discuss any of the details," said Chief Criminal Deputy County Attorney Roger Nelson.
Learn more HERE:
SUSPECT
Amancio Corrales
OTHER NEWS.....
ARRESTED! FORMER KOFA HIGH SCHOOL MATH TEACHER BUSTED FOR UNDERAGE GAY SEX WITH 16 YEAR-OLD MALE STUDENT!
SENTENCED!
On August 22, 2008, Yuma County Judge Honorable Andrew Gould Sentences Rubin Solorio Valenzuela to 8.7 years in prison less 456 days time served for attempted manslaughter in the dealth of Amancio Corrales.
NEW DETAILS:
Former Kofa High School math teacher Chris Parrett, 34, is charged with eight felonies, including seven counts of Sexual Conduct With A Minor, one count of Furnishing Harmful Items To Minors, and one count of Sexual Abuse. Prosecutors alledge improper touching, fondling, kissing, even oral and anal sex, sometimes occuring at an after school yearbook meeting!
(Yuma, AZ, February 12, 2009) In a shocking court proceeding on February 12, 2009, a relentless plaintiff (who’s name we are not publishing) and his attorneys Clark and Associates of Yuma, AZ, not only go after Chris Parrett, the former Kofa High math teacher for underage gay sex with the at the time 16 year-old, they drop the bomb, and go after the school and the entire Yuma Union High School District itself! $$$???
The plaintiff’s attorneys charge that:
“Defendant Parrett sexually assaulted, molested and abused Plaintiff while he was Plaintiff’s teacher. Defendant Parrett’s sexual assaults, molestations and abuse of Plaintiff include, among other acts, improper touching, fondling, kissing and oral and anal sex with Plaintiff. The assaults, molestations and abuse occurred on numerous occasions during the school year, at locations both on and off of school property, and during, and in connection with, classes and school activities, including late night, unsupervised school yearbook activities.”
You can see the full court papers by clicking here. (Warning, some of the content is graphic.)
