Nex Benedict : Minnesotans Mourn Oklahoma Nonbinary Teen Nex Benedict

Accident – Death – Obituary News : **Vigil Held Outside Minneapolis Teacher’s Federation to Honor Nex Benedict**

On a chilly Friday evening, a somber gathering took place outside the Minneapolis Teacher’s Federation to mourn, celebrate, and honor the life of Nex Benedict. Nex, a 16-year-old nonbinary student, tragically lost their life after a fight at Owasso High School in Oklahoma.

Benedict, who identified as nonbinary, was a person whose gender identity transcended traditional male or female categories. Their passing has deeply impacted the community, prompting student organizers from the Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) at Edison High School in northeast Minneapolis to come together and organize a vigil in Nex’s memory.

Kam, a high school student organizer from GSA, expressed the group’s motivation for holding the vigil, stating, “Everybody in GSA thought if we act now, it might create a big enough impact to at least show some respect for Nex.”

The vigil saw attendees holding candles as they listened to speakers call for political action to honor Nex Benedict’s life and ensure the safety of transgender youth both in Minnesota and across the country. Rev. Justin Sabia-Tanis, an associate professor at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, emphasized the importance of standing against anti-transgender policymaking that puts vulnerable communities at risk.

The tragic loss of Nex Benedict was also contextualized within the larger framework of the epidemic of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives. As a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, Nex’s mother added a layer of complexity to their story. Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, a member of the White Earth Nation, underscored the need for accountability among policymakers, including Gov. Kevin Stitt of Oklahoma, who signed a controversial bill restricting transgender students’ bathroom access.

As the evening progressed, GSA student organizers highlighted the urgent need for practical solutions to address the challenges faced by genderqueer students in accessing safe spaces in schools. Teacher Amelia Marquez shared her journey as a transgender person seeking safety in Minnesota, emphasizing the role of allies in creating inclusive environments.

Student organizer Keeda Johnson echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the importance of community support in advocating for LGBTQ+ rights and ensuring that genderqueer students have access to facilities that align with their gender identity. Johnson’s poignant words underscored the emotional toll of navigating school environments that do not cater to the needs of gender-diverse individuals.

The vigil, organized with care and dedication by the Gender and Sexuality Alliance, served as a poignant reminder of the work that remains to be done in creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for all students, regardless of their gender identity. In honoring Nex Benedict’s memory, the community came together to reflect on the challenges faced by transgender youth and the importance of standing in solidarity with them..