Vigil Announced for Slain Transgender Woman in Harlem

Harlem Pride announced today there will be a vigil for Islan Nettles, the young transgender woman who died last week from injuries sustained from a savage attack in Harlem on Saturday, August 17. The vigil will be held at Jackie Robinson Park on West 148th Street and Broadhurst Avenue at 6 p.m. tomorrow evening.

The announcement was made today on the Harlem Pride Facebook page states, "Please keep in mind that this is a celebration of Islan Nettles, her love of life and an opportunity for the community to come together in unity and peace," adding "Thank you all for your care and attention to this matter. Please feel free to forward this email to other individuals/organizations."

Islan Nettles, 21, who according to police also went by the names Vaughn Nettles and Alon Nettles, died Thursday after being taken off life support at Harlem Hospital where she was taken for wounds she suffered from an August 17 attack that police are investigating as a hate crime.

As reported in DNA Info, the incident occurred around 11 p.m. when Nettles and another transgender woman were attacked by a group of men near West 148th Street and Eighth Avenue. According to police, the men, after learning Nettles and her friend were transgender, attacked the women, throwing punches and yelling homophobic epithets.

The attack occurred across from a police precinct.

As reported by Gothamist, the NYPD, 20-year-old Paris Wilson has been charged with Assault in the Third Degree and Harassment in the Second Degree. He is currently out on bail.

The Nettles assault is the latest in a string of incidents of violence against the LGBT population that has plagued New York this year. Last May, Mark Carson was shot and killed in Greenwich Village by an assailant who allegedly targeted him for being gay.

According toRT, there have been 68 anti-gay attacks in the first eight months of 2013. The 2012 total of 54 violent anti-gay incidents is expected to double by years' end.