Update: Nikita Dragun was released from jail in Miami Wednesday night (November 9) according to her representative.
Bad behavior should result in consequences, but those consequences shouldn’t include the loss of one’s human rights.
That’s the situation Nikita Dragun currently finds herself in. The transgender social media influencer, makeup artist, and model was arrested Monday night (November 7) at a Miami Beach hotel on felony battery charges after she allegedly threw water at a police officer and security guard.
But this is not about condemning nor justifying what happened leading up to her arrest. The problem is that Nikita, who is of Vietnamese and Mexican descent, is currently being held in a men’s unit in jail.
“I’m not a fan of Nikita Dragun nor am I defending her actions in any shape or form but when she was put into jail and forced to stay in a men’s unit, that’s heartbreaking and dangerous,” one Twitter user posted. “Trans Women are Women.”
Footage of Nikita talking to a judge via video conferencing after her arrest was posted online where she asks her about being placed with men prisoners. “Your honor, may I ask one question: Do I have to stay here in the men’s unit still?” Nikita asked.
The judge replied: “Yeah, I don’t make the rules up there. But a possible accommodation for you is a separate area.”
According to TMZ, police were called to the Goodtime Hotel where they were told Nikita had been walking around the pool area naked and causing a disturbance. Once on the scene, a police officer was escorted to Nikita room by a security guard, so they could ask her to stop her disorderly behavior, or she would have to leave the hotel.
Nikita allegedly opened the door to the police officer and security and then slammed it in their faces. She then opened the door again and asked, “Do you want more?” before splashing water from a water bottle on the officer and guard. Her actions resulted in her arrest.
While her arrest may have been justified, there’s absolutely no reason she should be in a men’s jail unit right now. She is a woman and should be treated as such. In fact, Miami-Dade County needs to correct this injustice immediately as this could put Nikita Dragun’s life in danger.
Furthermore, this brings into question: What kind of point the Miami-Dade County is trying to make and what other incidents have occurred to put transgender people in danger and strip them of their basic human rights when arrested for crimes they may have committed?
Because like it or not, trans women are women. And they should be afforded the same rights as any cis woman.
