What to Know About Iyanna Dior, the Black Trans Woman Who Was Attacked This Week In Minnesota
Iyanna Dior, a black trans woman who lives in Minnesota, is one of thousands who has been on the receiving end of violent attacks in the wake of the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery. A disturbing video clip of the attack, which reportedly took place on Monday, June 1, has been circulating online and went viral days after the assault. The attack on Dior follows the fatal police shooting of Tony McDade, a black trans man from Florida, and the stabbing death of Nina Pop, a black trans woman from Missouri. No arrests have been made in either case. Ahead, everything we know about Iyanna Dior, and how you can help.
What happened to Iyanna Dior on June 1?
According to accounts on social media, the beating took place on June 1 after a so-called "fender bender." The video appears to show Dior, 21, and an unidentified Black man having a disagreement outside of a convenience store before a large group begins beating Dior and yelling transphobic slurs. There are anywhere from 15 to 30 assailants, who are reportedly mostly cisgender males. A crowd around Dior and her attackers forms, with no one stepping in to aide her. Eventually Dior breaks from the crowd of onlookers to duck behind the register while a store employee tries to de-escalate the crowd. The video of the attack is disturbing and may trigger and incite trauma, so it's not linked or embedded here.
What has Iyanna herself said after the attack?
In the days following the violent attack against Iyanna, she's taken to her public Facebook page to speak out about the incident. On Tuesday, she posted a video where she assures viewers that she's "ok" and showed off the swelling on the right side of her face and right arm. Dior said she also had cut lips and was beginning to bruise. She indicated that she had not gone to a hospital or sought medical treatment for her injuries.
"I don't even know how I'm gonna deal with this," she said in the video, before letting viewers know where they can donate to her CashApp. "I Just Need Some Time To Process Everything That’s Going On Thanks To Everyone Reaching Out Making Sure I’m Ok ?? Imma Talk Real Soon," she wrote in an earlier post.
Social media has been flooded with calls for justice regarding the assault.
When video of Dior's vicious assault began circulating online, many began calling for justice and arrests. But so far, no one has been charged with anything in connection to Dior's attack. That hasn't stopped high-profile artists, activists, and organizations from giving Dior's attack visibility and speaking out about the prevalence of violence in both the transgender and Black communities.
Transgender activist and Pose producer Janet Mock had empowering words for Iyanna on Instagram, writing in part, "Sis, you’re still standing. I praise and uplift you. I’m sending you the strength of your sisters still standing too — and the ones who no longer could. They deserve rest, and we speak their names too. Iyanna, you are a black trans woman. What a gift! Don’t let nobody tell you otherwise."
A post shared by J A N E T M O C K (@janetmock) on Jun 3, 2020 at 7:04am PDT
Model and Pose star Indya Moore and The Good Place's Jameela Jamil, and Janelle Monáe also voiced their support for Dior. Below, several of the social media responses to Dior's attack.
Somebody please put me in touch with #IYANNADIOR
— INDYA (@IndyaMoore) June 3, 2020
Iyanna Dior is a young black transwoman who was beaten up by a huge crowd of men. In the middle of a protest for black lives. Black lives still matter when you’re trans. Its the start of Pride. We need to do better. We see you and stand with you Iyanna. #BLACKTRANSLIVESMATTER pic.twitter.com/TjIzwe4f4m
— Jameela Jamil ?? (@jameelajamil) June 3, 2020
A young Black trans woman named #IyannaDior was brutally attacked by a group of mostly Black cis men in Minneapolis last night. There’s video online that I won't share.
But this is why we must always clarify that all #BlackLivesMatter every time we invoke this chant.— Raquel Willis (@RaquelWillis_) June 3, 2020
#IyannaDior a Black trans woman was brutally attacked by a group of Black men over a fender bender yesterday. This is just as important as George Floyd. This is just as important as Breonna Taylor. Please do not share the video, but there needs to be accountability for this.
— ShaTIRED of White Supremacy (@6MEHAH5) June 2, 2020
I will not share the video, but #IyannaDior deserves justice. She’s a black trans woman who was brutally beaten by a group of nearly 30 men yesterday over a fender bender. Her life matters. If she has a GoFundMe or CashApp, let me know so I can share. May she heal and prosper. pic.twitter.com/NDLluGHrWU
— Serena Daniari (@serenajazmine) June 3, 2020
What happened to Iyanna Dior is despicable and not in alignment with Black liberation or Black love. Anything against that is against my people. Anyone against all of my people is an enemy. If you don't see the problem you are the fucking problem.
— Reverend Pastor Juju (@itsjujubae) June 3, 2020
How to help:
One way to aide Dior directly is by sending money to her CashApp account. Dior confirmed the correct CashApp handle on Facebook, which is: $IyannaDio. A fundraiser for Iyanna has also been created by Black Transwomen Inc, which you can donate to here. For those looking to help other Black and trans individuals impacted by recent events, here's where to start:
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