Connect Media Group's Statement on the Death of Nex Benedict

All students deserve the right to feel safe and protected. No one should fear living daily life. This includes going to school. What happened to Nex Benedict should have never happened. It is important for those of us who can speak out against hate and discrimination to continue to do so. We must hold people accountable for their actions which lead to tragic consequences. We cannot continue to lose our children to hate fueled by the same adults who should be protecting them.

Nex Benedict was a non-binary student from Oklahoma whose life was tragically cut short on February 8. Nex’s death highlights the harsh reality that many transgender and non-binary individuals confront on a daily basis – a reality fraught with discrimination and violence.

As the story came to light this past week, we learned that Nex had been the target of bullying and harassment by other Owassa High School students for several months. Their death came one day after Nex and another student who identified as transgender were in an altercation in a school bathroom with three older students.

While investigations are ongoing into this tragedy, we do know that the bullying began months after Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt signed a bill into law that mandated students to use only school bathrooms that correspond with their sex assigned at birth. Stitt also signed a gender-affirming care ban for youth last May. These are the same bills that every state across the nation has been trying to pass or have passed over the past few years. This includes Tennessee.

As we mourn the loss of Nex Benedict, we must also reflect on the broader societal implications of their passing. It is imperative we interrogate the systems of oppression that perpetuate discrimination and marginalization, and to work towards creating a more inclusive and equitable society. This requires not only legislative action and policy reform but also a fundamental shift in cultural attitudes and perceptions.

This is why organizations such as the Tennessee Equality Project (TEP) are so important to our community. They gather people together to show up at the legislative meetings every day there is a bill up for debate or a vote. If you can be at some of these meetings, go. You will not be alone and it will help move the needle of progress. Unable to physically be at these events? Contact your local representatives via phone or e-mail. You can also sign up for action alerts from TEP. They make it very easy to reach out to key legislators about the issues affecting our community.

Moreover, Nex’s death underscores the importance of providing support and resources for marginalized communities, particularly those most vulnerable to violence and discrimination. We must invest in mental health services, create safe spaces, and foster a culture of acceptance and affirmation for all individuals, regardless of their gender identity or expression.

In honoring the memory of Nex Benedict, we must recommit ourselves to the pursuit of justice and equality for all. We must amplify the voices of those who have been silenced and marginalized, and work tirelessly to dismantle the systems of oppression that perpetuate violence and discrimination.

Two local events coming up to honor Nex:

Candlelight Vigil
First Unitarian Universalist Church of Nashville
Sunday, February 25, 2024 @ 6 pm
firstuunash.org

Vigil following the Bathroom Bill Hearing
Legislative Plaza Nashville, Tennessee
Tuesday, February 27, 2024
Tennessee Equality Project

Resources

TRANS LIFELINE: A peer support phone service for the trans community. Find hours here.

Call 1-877-565-8860

THE TREVOR PROJECT: 24/7 crisis support services for LBGTQ+ youth

TEXT START TO 678-678
Call 1-866-488-738

LGBT National Help Center: A safe environment on the phone or internet for people of all ages to discuss issues that they don’t feel comfortable talking about anywhere else.