NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A Nashville woman believes she was attacked, in part because she's transgender.

Tyler Flanagan and her friend, both transgender women, were at a West Nashville storage facility last Friday when Flanagan said a casual conversation with a moving crew took a turn.

“One of the movers that we did not see outside the first time had walked through, so we had asked him if he worked there, assuming that he did," Flanagan said. "That’s when he started giving us slurs and saying negative things."

According to Flanagan, the verbal assault continued when the man and a fellow crew member followed them to their storage unit and proceeded to call Flanagan and her friend "men" as well as homophobic and transphobic slurs. Additionally, they said they could beat them and they claimed to have guns and "could do things with them if they wanted to."

“All of this unprovoked," Flanagan added. "We just wanted to get in the car and leave, so we got in the car and we reported to the [front desk] lady — again — that we had another interaction outside, and that’s when the individual came inside and struck me."

The moment the man struck Flanagan was captured on surveillance video inside the facility. She has since shared the video across social media. Flanagan told News 2 that her home address has circulated the internet, causing her concern for her and her family's wellbeing.

“As of today, I’m receiving a lot of death threats," Flanagan said. "Everything is very up in the air right now."

Flanagan said she wants this to end "with justice and accountability."

"Statements can be made all day long, but actually having accountability and making queer people feel heard and seen is very important," Flanagan said.

Flanagan said she felt it necessary to speak out about what happened to her, especially given that June is Pride Month.

One person who is supporting Flanagan in using her voice is Metro Councilmember Olivia Hill, the first openly transgender elected official in Tennessee.

In a written statement to News 2, Hill wrote:

“As the first out transgender woman elected in Tennessee, and on behalf of the entire Metro Nashville LGBT Caucus, I want to make it clear that we stand in full solidarity with the trans woman who was brutally attacked last week.

Violence against anyone — especially violence fueled by hate — should never be tolerated under any circumstances. While rumors and hateful rhetoric continue to swirl in an attempt to shift blame or distract from the facts, let me be clear: there is never an excuse for violence.

The LGBT Caucus stands firmly with this woman, and we will continue to stand with her — and with every member of our community—until justice is served and safety is guaranteed for all.” 

The moving company in question, Brentwood-based Black Tie Moving, responded to the incident on social media Monday and called the attack “deeply troubling." Additionally, they said that the employee seen on the surveillance video had been fired. 

News 2 reached out to the company’s owner for further comment, but as of publication, there has been no response. The Metro Nashville Police Department told News 2 their investigation is ongoing. Nobody has been charged or taken into custody at this time.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/nashville/video-police-investigate-attack-trans-woman/