Tallahassee, FL – On March 31, activists rallied at Cascades Park for Transgender Day of Visibility and demanded justice for Nex Benedict.

“Despite all of the wins we’ve made this legislative session, we cannot stop fighting until trans people are truly free from the systemic hate and violence that killed Nex Benedict,” said Joelle Nunez, president of the Tallahassee Students for a Democratic Society.

On February 7, Nex Benedict, an Oklahoma teen, was assaulted by classmates in their Owasso high school bathroom. Benedict was attacked due to an altercation occurring after they were forced to use the bathroom correlating with their assigned gender at birth. The 16-year-old used he/they pronouns. Benedict would die from their injuries the following day, February 8.

Tavish Bryan, representing Food not Bombs, stated, “Their death is no more tragic than it was avoidable and those responsible deserve the utmost justice in return for their negligence, abuse and cruelty.”

Local Tallahassee activists organized in coordination with the national movement for Transgender Visibility Day. The need for nationwide action in support of transgender youth is ever present. The people need to demand justice for transgender people attacked by their peers and their representatives.

Kingsley Early, speaker for Tallahassee Students for a Democratic Society reminded everyone, “It’s time that as a community we fight for trans rights and liberation not just today but every day.”

The threat of violence is pressing for transgender and nonbinary youth. According to the Trevor Project, 27% reported that they had been physically threatened or harmed due to their gender identity in the last year.

“The fight for trans liberation isn’t just about visibility. Although our progress should be noted, we have to understand that trans people deserve real equity when it comes to housing, employment, healthcare and legal justice,” said Delilah Pierre, president of Tallahassee Community Action Committee.

#TallahasseeFL #FL #LBGTQ #Trans #TransDayOfVisibility #NexBenedict #TCAC #SDS

Tampa, FL – On March 29, around 20 students gathered in front of the University of South Florida library to participate in a vigil held by Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) to celebrate the life of, and demand justice for, Nex Benedict.

Nex Benedict was a trans, non-binary, indigenous child who was killed in Oklahoma on February 8 at the age of 16. Although the official cause of death was listed as suicide, it is heavily disputed, as a prior altercation in school had left him with numerous physical injuries.

Students were encouraged to bring items relating to them to place at a temporary altar. Items brought included cat-related items, indigenous items, and letters. The altar would then be moved to a permanent altar set up for Nex.

Tampa Bay SDS member Tyler Ramirez gave a personal statement in which they stated that “even if Nex died by suicide, their ‘suicide’ was still murder. Why? Because every single trans suicide is actually a murder. That trans person died not by suicide, but by the presence of enough hate in their world. That hate and ignorance and bigotry messes with you, sometimes to the point of suicide.” They then went on to explain, “collectively the people can hold the power and create immense pressure and change. We all need to do our part.”

Nex’s tragic death was a result to the rising trend of violence against trans people such as Righteous TK “Chevy” Hill and Alex Franco. SDS continues to stand with queer and trans people against homophobic and transphobic legislation and attacks.

#TampaFL #LGBTQ #StudentMovement #SDS #NexBenedict #Trans

Tallahassee, FL – On the evening of March 24, 25 community members gathered to honor the life of Nex Benedict, an Oklahoma transgender teenager who was murdered. The vigil was held at Common Ground Books, a local LGBTQ bookstore.

Nex Benedict, who used he/they pronouns, was brutally beaten by classmates in their Owasso high school bathroom on February 7 for being transgender. Due to Oklahoma’s “Don’t Say Gay” laws, similar to those in Florida, transgender youth are restricted to using the bathroom that matches their assigned gender at birth. This led to an altercation between Benedict and his classmates. Benedict was rushed to the hospital for treatment and succumbed to his injuries the next day.

Since last month, the Oklahoma state legislature and Owasso school board have come under fire for systematically repressing and silencing transgender students and refusing to accept accountability for their part in Benedict’s death. Vigils have been held across the country to honor Nex Benedict and demand justice for all trans youth under attack by the right wing.

The case has come under even more scrutiny since medical examiners ruled Benedict’s death a suicide by overdose. LGBTQ activists across the nation have spoken out against the ruling.

“We have to remember that Nex Benedict’s death was a murder, not a suicide. Nex was failed by every institution that should have protected him. We need to fight for a world where we don’t need to hold any more vigils for trans kids who have been failed by the adults around them,” said Delilah Pierre, president of the Tallahassee Community Action Committee.

Sam Beal is an employee at Common Ground Books who helps run the Gender Affirming Closet, a place where trans youth can receive gender affirming clothing and supplies at no cost. Beal said in their speech, “Being able to provide trans kids in Tallahassee with a safe space to be themselves has been the greatest honor. Many times, over the past month I couldn’t help but wonder what Nex would have looked like in our space, surrounded by people who accepted them as they are.”

Kenvonte Ford, representing Equality Florida, inspired hope in the crowd, “22 anti-LGBTQ bills were introduced this past legislative session, but through our organizing we were able to kill and neutralize 21 of those bills. Things like this show us that people have power to create change.”

The vigil closed with attendees lighting candles in Benedict’s honor.

#TallahasseeFL #FL #LGBTQ #Trans #NexBenedict #TCAC #DontSayGay