Beauty Influencer Nikita Dragun Was Put in a Men’s Prison, Exposing More Abuse Trans Women Face
By Judy Bokao
A few days ago, Nikita Dragun, a trans social media influencer who rose to fame with her beauty channel on YouTube, was arrested at a hotel in Miami. According to news reports, the police were called to the hotel after complaints of Dragun “causing a disturbance.”
It was reported that when the police arrived, Ms. Dragun refused to stop causing a disturbance. She went on to throw water and water bottles at the officers, she faced immediate arrest. She was charged with “felony battery on a police officer, misdemeanor disorderly conduct, and misdemeanor battery.”
She was taken to Miami-Dade County’s Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. Ms. Dragun is legally recognized as female but she was confined in the men’s unit of the correctional center. During her bond hearing, Ms Dragun asked the Judge if she still had to stay at the men’s unit. The Judge acknowledged this and answered in the affirmative before stating that she doesn’t make the rules.
Nikita was later released and she posted an apology to her fans on Instragram. She acknowledged the arrest but didn’t go into further details. Her publicist, Jack Ketsoyan, released a statement to a local news channel. In her statement, she heavily criticized the misgendering that Dragun went through at the hands of the Miami-Dade County Corrections Department.
She said Dragun’s placement in a men’s unit in Miami-Dade County Corrections Department was “extremely disturbing and dangerous.” She further stated that the decision to misgender Dragun directly violated their protocol, which mandates that transgender inmates are classified and housed based on safety needs and gender identity.
On the other hand, a representative for the Miami-Dade prison system released a statement denying these allegations. The rep told TMZ that Dragun was never placed in a men’s unit because she was never booked prior to her release.
According to the representative, Dragun was placed in a holding cell and due to her high profile, they kept her secluded from other intimates. The rep also stated that she was escorted by an LGBTQ+ officer during her time at the correctional facility.
This is not the first time Miami Dade County has been accused of treating transgender inmates unfairly. They are currently being sued for abuse in federal court by three transgender people. According to the complaint filed, the correctional officers berated the victims with abuses before physically manhandling them. They were later denied medical treatment and misgendered.
The reason that Ms Dragun’s case is gaining traction is that she has millions of followers across different social media platforms. What happens to the other transgender people who go through this but don’t have the platform? Let’s not allow the Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department representative fool us with a statement.
How ironic that the statement claims Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department (MDCR) is committed to protecting the rights of the transgender community and of all LGBTQ people. The reality on the ground is not only different but deeply scary. The transgender community is one of the minorities that suffers heightened discrimination and violence.
Research shows that transgender inmates face a greater risk of assault and abuse. Incarcerated transwomen reportedly experience the highest cases of sexual assault.
If the Miami Dade Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department has proper protocols in place, why did they ignore them? Why do they continue to misgender transgender inmates? Florida laws recognize the rights of transgender inmates yet reports say otherwise. Transgender convicts in Florida face increased discrimination for their orientation.
The unnerving truth is that this is not the first time this kind of discrimination has happened. It probably won’t be the last and in most cases, we won’t find out about the abuse. The victims suffer in silence because they don’t know how to report these cases or they are afraid to. Nikita Dragun’s case is just another reminder that transphobia is still prevalent. This is why we need more awareness and LGBTQ+ training for the police. We need to make sure all trans people are treated fairly.
About the Author:
Judy Bokao was born in Ethiopia but relocated to Nairobi two years ago. She is passionate about everyone having equal rights and is also big on conservation and speaking up for our planet. Judy loves reading and photography and is just a free-spirited young lady trying to grow into a woman her mom can be proud of.
