Nex Benedict vigil to be held in Bucks County, calling for schools to protect trans kids
A candlelight vigil will be held Wednesday night in Doylestown Borough for Nex Benedict, a transgender Oklahoma teen who died the day after a fight in a high school bathroom.
The call to action comes directly from trans youth in local schools across Bucks County who need peers, parents, school leaders and other allies to stand up for them, said Marlene Pray, founder and director of Planned Parenthood Keystone’s Rainbow Room
“The death of beloved, nonbinary student, Nex Benedict, has sent a chill through our local queer youth communities,” Pray said.
“Many of these kids speak routinely about their fears about what does or could happen to them at school. It’s vital we listen to their voices, so clearly saying: we are heartbroken and angry about Nex’s death, and we must do all we can to ensure that LGBTQ+ students are safe in school, and able to thrive, learn and grow as all children deserve to do.”
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Hosted by Planned Parenthood Keystone's Rainbow Room, Youth4Unity and PFLAG Bucks County, the community event will take place from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Rainbow Room at 186 E. Court St. in Doylestown. The vigil is open to the public and will include speakers, live music, candles, art and a call for schools to protect transgender students.
Who is Nex Benedict and what happened to them?
Benedict was a 16-year-old sophomore at Owasso High School in Tulsa County, Oklahoma, who identified as gender expansive and used they/them and he/him pronouns.
The day before their death, police were called to an Owasso hospital shortly after 3:30 p.m. on Feb. 7 in response to a report that Benedict had been injured in a fight at school, according to a search warrant filed by Owasso Police detective Penny Hamrick, USA Today reported.
“Nex was later discharged from the hospital. But shortly before 3 p.m. the next day, Benedict called 911 to report Nex was experiencing medical issues, including shallow breathing. She told the 911 operator about the altercation at school and said Nex had hit their head on the bathroom floor, Penny Hamrick, an Owasso Police detective, wrote in a search warrant,” the story read.
“Emergency medical crews performed CPR on Nex and drove them to a Tulsa hospital, where they were pronounced dead around 3:30 p.m.”
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What was the cause of death in the Nex Benedict case?
In a statement issued last Wednesday, Owasso Police said preliminary information from the medical examiner’s office indicated Benedict’s death was not a result of trauma, but added the investigation is still ongoing and autopsy results would later be released.
“At this time, any further comments on the cause of death are currently pending until toxicology results and other ancillary testing results are received,” it read.
What does ‘gender expansive’ mean?
According to PFLAG, gender expansive is an umbrella term for those who do not follow gender stereotypes, or who expand ideas of gender expression or gender identity. People of any gender identity can be gender expansive.
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Local resources and support for LGBTQ+ youth in the Bucks County area
Planned Parenthood Keystone’s Rainbow Room is a youth center in Bucks County for LGBTQ+ youth and allies ages 14 to 21. They have two centers in Langhorne and Doylestown. More information on their programs can be found at linktr.ee/rr_rgb.
Roy G. Biv is an LGBTQ+ youth and allies program designed for ages 10 to 14. More information can be found on their Instagram page.
PFLAG Bucks County is a support group for parents, family members, friends and individuals who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered. They meet twice monthly, both virtually and in-person. For more information, visit pflagbuckscounty.org.
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Gender and Sexuality Development Program offers psychosocial and medical support for gender nonconforming, gender expansive and transgender children and youth up to age 21 and their families. For more information visit chop.edu.
Reporter Michele Haddon covers small business, economic development, community revitalization, art and culture for The Intelligencer and Bucks County Courier Times at PhillyBurbs.com. Please considering supporting local journalism with a subscription.
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Trans youth vigil to be held in Bucks County honoring Nex Benedict
