Recently, I have been in a collective grief with the transgender community. Over the past few weeks, we have been grappling with the devastating events that occurred on February 7, 2024. Nex Benedict found himself cornered in a high school bathroom by three students along with his transgender friend. Nex, who endured abuse and assault, suffered serious head trauma after being repeatedly hit on the ground. Despite their injuries, they were merely escorted to the office without any medical assistance. Surprisingly, instead of the perpetrator being punished, Nex was suspended, sent home, and neglected at school. Then, tragically, Nex died the next day, with head trauma suspected to be the main cause.
Nex Benedict, a 16-year-old Native non-binary dog who was a member of the Choctaw Nation, was a vibrant soul who enjoyed cooking, art, video games, and cuddling with cats. However, their adolescence is marred by constant advocacy for their own and others' rights as adults consistently fail to provide adequate support.
The loss of Nex has left both queer and Indigenous communities in mourning.
Another two-spirited individual became a victim of violence perpetuated by colonizers, amplifying the grief of indigenous groups. For the trans community, which has already suffered countless losses in recent years, Nex's untimely death is especially heartbreaking due to the blatant lack of intervention. Nex's story resonates deeply with us. Their absence is a stark reminder of the systemic failures that threaten our existence.
This tragic incident demonstrates the shockingly widespread acceptance of behavior that goes beyond simple harassment and is rooted in institutional discrimination.
Despite the trans community's ongoing efforts to highlight the dehumanizing impact of discriminatory laws and national conversations, society continues to propagate an environment in which violence against us is normalized. It is a dark irony that Nex met his untimely death in a bathroom, the very space where the attack on transgender rights began.
A few months ago, a teacher at Nex School was fired after appearing on TikTok identifying as 2SLGBTQIA+, drawing criticism from Libs on TikTok, a platform known for its conservative bias. Deeply affected by this injustice, Nex lamented the loss of a supportive figure. While it may be tempting to blame such incidents on partisan politics, the truth is much more alarming.
This is not just a national problem; it is a nationwide epidemic.
Silence in the face of injustice perpetuates the problem. If the plight of trans individuals only becomes apparent after tragedies like Nex, systemic change remains elusive. Last week, Nex High School students walked out of school in protest of ongoing bullying. As educators, why do we continue to force our students to become activists? Why should students speak up for their own safety?
Educators must acknowledge that our institutions were not designed to be safe havens for queer or indigenous students. They are designed within a framework that prioritizes the comfort of white cisgender men. Efforts to reform these systems face resistance, but the urgency of this task demands collective action from all educators.
Consider this a call to action.
If we claim to be allies with the transgender community, silence is no longer an option. Now is the time to move beyond passive expressions of solidarity and take real steps toward advocacy. Attend school board meetings, incorporate inclusive education into your curriculum, and advocate for the rights of queer students as passionately as you advocate for your own survival.
The transgender community has long been on the front lines of this fight, sacrificing personal comfort in the relentless pursuit of equality. Anti-trans laws are spreading across the country, threatening the very existence of transgender people. Now more than ever, we need allies to stand in solidarity and amplify our voices in every school, district, and state.
Take action:
- Contact your nearest 2SLGTBQIA+ center. Connect, ask how you can support, and find out what challenges community members are facing.
- Call the Owasso, Oklahoma school district and demand that the superintendent be fired.
- Advocate for the queer community at the local, state, and federal levels.
- We support Indigenous initiatives that raise awareness of missing and murdered women and two-spirit people. Check out Native Hope for more information and how to provide support.
- For training materials, use resources like Learning for Justice.
- For more insight, explore Justice for Justice’s best practices for serving LGBTQ students.
We hope that Nex's story will be a catalyst for change. Together, we can create a future where all individuals are valued, respected, and protected in our schools and communities, regardless of gender identity or expression.