Ela Nikbayan
Ela Nikbayan | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1980 or 1981 Iran |
| Died | (aged 40) Berlin, Germany |
Cause of death | Self-immolation |
Ela Nikbayan was an Iranian trans woman who, after immigrating to Germany, faced numerous challenges in accepting her gender identity. She committed suicide by self-immolation on 14 September 2021.[1][2][3][4]
Biography
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 thought she was 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. Additionally, she had to move 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]
Suicide
Despite moving to Berlin with hopes of a better life, Nikbayan continued to struggle with her inner turmoil. At the age of 40, she immolated herself on 14 September 2021, using diesel fuel at the busy Alexanderplatz square in Berlin.[1][5][4][2]
Desecration of grave
On 4 January, unknown individuals desecrated Nikbayan's grave, leaving a fire extinguisher and a gasoline canister next to it, referencing the manner of her suicide.[2][6][7][8][4][9] German police announced they would investigate. The German organization "LSVD" expressed anger at the continued violence against Nikbayan even after her death and called for legal action on the matter.[2][10][4][9]
References
- ^ a b c d BBC News Persian (30 November 2024). "The story of the self-immolation of an Iranian who drew attention to the situation of 'trans' refugees" (in Persian). Archived from the original on 3 December 2024. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
- ^ a b c d "Transphobia at the grave of 'Ela Nikbayan'; Iranian trans woman living in Berlin". iranwire.com (in Persian). Archived from the original on 28 May 2025. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
- ^ "They died because of their gender identity". iranwire.com (in Persian). Archived from the original on 28 January 2023. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f Maryam Mardani (21 January 2022). "Portrait: Iranian trans woman's self-immolation in Alexanderplatz, Berlin". Amal, Berlin! (in Persian). Archived from the original on 30 November 2024. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
- ^ ""Hasszerfressene Personen": Grab von trans Frau Ella erneut geschändet". t-online (in German). 24 July 2023. Archived from the original on 1 December 2024. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
- ^ BBC News Persian. "Police investigation into desecration of Iranian trans woman's grave in Berlin" (in Persian). Archived from the original on 4 December 2024. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
- ^ "Grab von trans Frau Ella Nik Bayan (†40) geschändet - B.Z. – Die Stimme Berlins". www.bz-berlin.de (in German). 6 January 2022. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
- ^ "Bezirksamt Lichtenberg verurteilt die Schändung des Grabes von Transfrau Ella". www.berlin.de (in German). 10 January 2022. Archived from the original on 1 December 2024. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
- ^ a b "Desecration of Iranian Trans Woman Ella's Grave". Tribune Zamaneh. Archived from the original on 2 December 2024. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
- ^ "Ellas Grab geschändet: LSVD stellt Strafanzeige". www.siegessaeule.de (in German). Archived from the original on 21 July 2024. Retrieved 30 November 2024.