Remembering Islan Nettles

A look back at a Black transgender woman's murder.

Finally: NYPD Makes Arrest in the Nettles Murder Case - The NYPD arrested a Brooklyn man for the 2013 murder of Islan Nettles. James Dixon, 24, was indicted for manslaughter and felony assault in a Manhattan court. Held without bail, Dixon made no comments about his arrest other than pleading not guilty in front of the judge. Nettles's mother Delores told DNA Info, "I still want to know the facts, but it's been a long time coming." Read on to learn more about Islan Nettles. — Kellee Terrell(Photo: D Dipasupil/Getty Images)

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Finally: NYPD Makes Arrest in the Nettles Murder Case - The NYPD arrested a Brooklyn man for the 2013 murder of Islan Nettles. James Dixon, 24, was indicted for manslaughter and felony assault in a Manhattan court. Held without bail, Dixon made no comments about his arrest other than pleading not guilty in front of the judge. Nettles's mother Delores told DNA Info, "I still want to know the facts, but it's been a long time coming." Read on to learn more about Islan Nettles. — Kellee Terrell(Photo: D Dipasupil/Getty Images)

Trans Violence  - Many do not have the protection of money and fame like Caitlyn Jenner. Islan Nettles (pictured), London Chanel, Lamia Beard, Sumaya Ysl and Ty Underwood are just a few transgender women who have been brutally murdered with little to no media coverage. For many trans people, it is a life-changing act to leave their homes due to the fear of being assaulted or losing their life. Furthermore, being Black and trans puts you more at risk. According to GLAAD.org, "The overall number of hate murders of members of the LGBTQH community has increased by 11 percent. Of those murdered, 87 percent were people of color, showing an increase from 70 percent in 2010." Click here for transgender people who have been murdered in 2015.(Photo: Islan Nettles via Facebook)

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Who Was Islan Nettles? - Islan Nettles, only 21 years old, was an aspiring fashion designer. While she had been on the verge of homelessness, she had recently landed a job at H&M and had moved into a new apartment in Harlem, New York, before her death. Her friends and family told the New York Times that since she began living as a woman, Islan was more confident and happy with who she was.(Photo: Islan Nettles via Facebook)

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What Happened? - On Aug. 17, 2013, Nettles and a few friends were walking home and Nettles was attacked in front of a Harlem police station by a group of men who were catcalling the group, witnesses recalled. When the men realized that Nettles was transgender, she was brutally attacked and called anti-LGBT names. (Photo: Mario Tama/Getty Images)

What Happened After Her Attack? - After her attack, Nettles was taken to Harlem hospital where she fell into a coma and was later pronounced brain dead. After four days, her family took her off of life support and Nettles died. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

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What Happened After Her Attack? - After her attack, Nettles was taken to Harlem hospital where she fell into a coma and was later pronounced brain dead. After four days, her family took her off of life support and Nettles died. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Gone But Not Forgotten - Shortly after her death, hundreds gathered in Harlem to celebrate Nettles’ life and to shed light on the violence that Black transgender people face. Nettles family, trans women from the community and advocates took part, including actress and trans woman Laverne Cox. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

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Gone But Not Forgotten - Shortly after her death, hundreds gathered in Harlem to celebrate Nettles’ life and to shed light on the violence that Black transgender people face. Nettles family, trans women from the community and advocates took part, including actress and trans woman Laverne Cox. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

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This Type of Violence Is Not New - In addition to Nettles, in 2013, Eyricka Morgan of Newark, Paige Clay of Chicago, Coko Williams of Detroit and Brandy Martell of Oakland, California, were sobering reminders that Black trans folk, especially transgender women, are extremely vulnerable to violence and homicide. In 2015, five transgender people have been reported dead.(Photo: Eyricka Morgan via Facebook)

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This Type of Violence Is Not New - In addition to Nettles, in 2013, Eyricka Morgan of Newark, Paige Clay of Chicago, Coko Williams of Detroit and Brandy Martell of Oakland, California, were sobering reminders that Black trans folk, especially transgender women, are extremely vulnerable to violence and homicide. In 2015, five transgender people have been reported dead.(Photo: Eyricka Morgan via Facebook)

The Statistics - A 2013 study found that trans people of color were 2.9 times more likely to experience violence compared to white non-transgender folks. Also, transgender women accounted for a whopping 53 percent of murders of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and HIV-affected (LGBTQH) community and the Black LGBTQH community accounted for 73 percent of homicides. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

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The Statistics - A 2013 study found that trans people of color were 2.9 times more likely to experience violence compared to white non-transgender folks. Also, transgender women accounted for a whopping 53 percent of murders of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and HIV-affected (LGBTQH) community and the Black LGBTQH community accounted for 73 percent of homicides. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Protecting All of Us - Cases like Nettles prove that we have to work through our own homophobia and transphobia in order to stop this kind of violence. Real talk: If we can stand up for Michael, Oscar, Trayvon, Marissa and Renisha, there isn’t any reason why we are turning our backs on our Black transgender brothers and sisters. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

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Protecting All of Us - Cases like Nettles prove that we have to work through our own homophobia and transphobia in order to stop this kind of violence. Real talk: If we can stand up for Michael, Oscar, Trayvon, Marissa and Renisha, there isn’t any reason why we are turning our backs on our Black transgender brothers and sisters. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)