Ela Nikbayan (d. September 14, 2021) was an Iranian trans woman who, after immigrating to Germany, faced numerous instances of harassment. She committed suicide by self-immolation.[1][2][3][4]

Biography

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Ela Nikbayan was born into a religious and traditional family in Southern Iran and faced suppression of her gender identity during her childhood and adolescence. Due to the lack of access to correct information about gender identities and sexual orientations, she suppressed her identity within herself. After immigrating to Germany in 2015, she initially identified as gay, but gradually realized she was a trans woman.[1][4]

In Germany, Nikbayan faced many challenges. In the city of Magdeburg, she was subjected to physical and psychological harassment by the community. These included physical assaults and verbal threats by strangers. She moved several times due to the lack of social acceptance. In 2019, she moved to Berlin, a city known as one of the most LGBTQ-friendly cities in Europe. However, her social and psychological problems continued.[1][4]

Despite moving to Berlin with hopes of a better life, Nikbayan continued to struggle with her inner turmoil. On September 14, 2021, she self-immolated at the busy Alexanderplatz square in Berlin. She was 40 years old.[1][5][4][2]

Desecration of grave

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On January 4, 2024, unknown individuals desecrated Nikbayan's grave, leaving a fire extinguisher and gasoline canister next to it, referencing the manner of her suicide.[2][6][7][8][4][9]

The German police are investigating the event. The German organization "LSVD" expressed anger at the continued violence against Nikbayan even after her death and has called for legal action on the matter.[2][10][4][9]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d BBC News Persian (2024-11-30). "The story of the self-immolation of an Iranian who drew attention to the situation of 'trans' refugees" (in Persian).
  2. ^ a b c d "Transphobia at the grave of 'Ela Nikbayan'; Iranian trans woman living in Berlin". iranwire.com (in Persian). Retrieved 2024-11-30.
  3. ^ "They died because of their gender identity". iranwire.com (in Persian). Retrieved 2024-11-30.
  4. ^ a b c d e f Maryam Mardani (2022-01-21). "Portrait: Iranian trans woman's self-immolation in Alexanderplatz, Berlin". Amal, Berlin! (in Persian). Retrieved 2024-11-30.
  5. ^ ""Hasszerfressene Personen": Grab von trans Frau Ella erneut geschändet". t-online (in German). 2023-07-24. Retrieved 2024-11-30.
  6. ^ BBC News Persian. "Police investigation into desecration of Iranian trans woman's grave in Berlin" (in Persian). Retrieved 2024-11-30.
  7. ^ "Grab von trans Frau Ella Nik Bayan (†40) geschändet - B.Z. – Die Stimme Berlins". www.bz-berlin.de (in German). 2022-01-06. Retrieved 2024-11-30. {{cite web}}: C1 control character in |url= at position 81 (help)
  8. ^ "Bezirksamt Lichtenberg verurteilt die Schändung des Grabes von Transfrau Ella". www.berlin.de (in German). 2022-01-10. Retrieved 2024-11-30.
  9. ^ a b "Desecration of Iranian Trans Woman Ella's Grave". Tribune Zamaneh. Retrieved 2024-11-30.
  10. ^ "Ellas Grab geschändet: LSVD stellt Strafanzeige". www.siegessaeule.de (in German). Retrieved 2024-11-30.