Twenty-five years to the day of the killing of Cortez teenager Fred Martinez, community members will gather Tuesday evening to remember Martinez through the acclaimed film that captures his story.
Sunflower Theatre is hosting a free screening of award-winning “Two Spirits,” a documentary on Martinez, who was a nádleehí youth, a male-bodied person who expresses a feminine nature or fluid gender roles.
In Navajo culture, nádleehí individuals are deeply rooted in spiritual and cultural beliefs and historically held respected places within society for their unique perspective.
“The evening is to commemorate the life of Fred Martinez, reminding people what happened here 25 years ago and the tragedy it was,” said Gail Binkly, a KSJD Radio journalist and the evening’s host.
Martinez was one of the youngest victims of a LGBTQ+ hate crime on record in modern history.
The film follows understandings in the Navajo culture of gender and identity, as well as how Martinez’s story and killing that has lasting significance to Cortez, Indigenous and LGBTQ+ communities. A judge in 2002 sentenced Shaun Murphy to 40 years in a Colorado prison after the then-18-year-old beat Martinez to death with what was believed to be a rock. Murphy was released in September 2019 after serving 17 years.
Binkly served as the Journal’s manager editor at the time of the 16-year-old’s murder. Initially, many people did not know Martinez was Two-Spirit, she said.
Binkly said coverage by Journal reporters Aspen Emmett-McCarthy and others uncovered that aspect of his identity through interviews with classmates and community members.
Emmett-McCarthy, who will be in attendance Tuesday evening, first brought the murder to the public’s attention after it was discovered June 16, 2001. She took the lead to report the case’s subsequent court proceedings through its plea and sentencing phases.
“There was a lot of community discussion at the time. For anyone who hasn’t seen the film, I think they’d appreciate it,” Binkly said. “Fred’s mother is in it, and some people who were closely involved during the aftermath, and those coming to support the LGBTQ+ community.”
Cortez native Russell Martin co-wrote and produced the 2009 film, along with director Lydia Nibley. Martin has written, produced and directed three documentaries and authored three novels and several nonfiction books, including international bestsellers “Beethoven’s Hair” and “Picasso’s War.” Martin, Emmett-McCarthy and a few others will be special guests and host a question-and-answer forum for any audience members with questions following the film which starts at 7 p.m.
Craig Benally, who portrays Martinez in “Two Spirits,” is a part of the panel. He is Diné, raised in Cortez and now resides in Mancos.
Matt Keefauver, a retired local educator, is another panel member. He moved to Cortez a year after the killing but said the tragedy was a huge topic of discussion for children at school.
awatson@the-journal.com
