Nex Benedict to be honored at Andrews Park vigil

Olivia Mccourry, The Norman Transcript, Okla.
·4 min read

Feb. 23—A vigil honoring Nex Benedict, a non-binary teen who died following an incident of bullying at Owasso High School, will be held today at Andrews Park.

Since their passing on Feb. 8, outrage and criticism towards the incident has spread online while linking Oklahoma laws that can hinder people who identify as LGBTQ2SIA+ as an alleged cause.

The demonstration was put together by Councilmember Helen Grant, Ward 4, with help from PFLAG Norman, Pride Norman and the Democratic Party of Oklahoma. Candles and miniature flags representing all identities of the LGBTQ2SIA+ community will be passed out at the memorial.

Speakers at the vigil include Marley Hutchins (She/They), University of Oklahoma Sophomore, Owasso High School Graduate '22; Colin McPherson (He/They), CDA and CDOK LGBTQIA+ Caucus, Vice Chair; Jerry Arias-Watson (He/Him), PFLAG Norman President; Alex Ruggiers (He/Him), Norman Public School Board Member, Office 2; Annette Price (She/Her), Norman Public School Board, Office 3; Helen Grant (They/Them), City of Norman Ward 4 Councilmember; Annie Menz (She/Her), Oklahoma House Representative District 45.

"We're very focused on how our LGBTQ+ youth are processing this moment and we want to make sure that no one feels like they're alone, or that they're not supported in this community. Again, why the impetus to do it so soon? You know, that's what the community wanted to do because they know from past experiences that this kind of rhetoric is damaging, and has real consequences," Grant said in a press release.

Grant, who identifies as non-binary and uses they/them pronouns, said this past week after Benedict's passing has been "heavy," in an interview with The Transcript.

"Their life ended before they could really reach their full potential. Also, as a parent of kids on the LGBTQ plus spectrum, seeing that young person and photos commemorating their life just really got under my skin because Nex Benedict doesn't look too different from one of my kids," Grant continued.

"The other reason it's kind of heavy for me is that I just came off an election cycle, so I had to do a lot of door knocking. And I was talking to folks, I've already seen it with women leaving the state because of the legislation around reproductive health care and my rights, but I was also starting to hear from people with trans families that their kids were planning to leave Oklahoma because while they're adults, they know that adult trans healthcare is coming next," Grant said.

They added that they hope the vigil will shine a light on resources available for those who are rooted in Oklahoma or those who can't leave.

Norman has had its own instances of tragedy when in 2010 Zach Harrington, a LGBTQIA2S+ graduate of Norman North '09, took his own life after hearing homophobic comments from opponents of a LGBTQIA2S+ History Month proclamation at a Norman City Council meeting. At the time his father, Van Harrington, told The Transcript that Zach had "feared for his safety on many occasions at (Norman North), and other people like him."

In a press release, Norman Pride stated: "The Norman Pride Board is heartbroken at the loss of Nex Benedict. As a community, we must come together and support each other as we grieve the loss of Nex. We support the calls to advocate for the rights of all LGBTQ2SIA+ individuals in our state and beyond. We have a right to live and be who we are in our own communities. We urge you to use your voice and your vote to promote positive change for our community to work towards preventing these tragedies. The Norman Pride Board is dedicated to providing safe spaces and create events to celebrate and strengthen our LGBTQ2SIA+ community."

"PFLAG and our members are saddened by the loss of one of our children, Nex Benedict. What continuously breaks our hearts are the hundreds of LGBTQIA2S+ children that are bullied at our schools, rejected at our churches, kicked out of their homes, fired from their jobs just because they are different. In today's climate of hate and rhetoric WE must be loud, focused and engaged in advocacy, provide support and education. PFLAG Norman is here to lead with love, compassion, understanding and acceptance," PFLAG wrote in their own statement.

"We are also here to move the voting population to participate in their civic duty to elect true representatives that will protect us and our children in the LGBTQIA2S+ community.

"Find resources, support, education and how to advocate at PFLAGNorman.org. Find group support every 2nd Thursday of the month at the Norman East library (until Norman Center Library is reopened) at 7 p.m.," PLAG added.

For anyone needing support in lieu of Benedict's death, the U.S. government also has an LGBTQIA2S+ extension of their 988 suicide & crisis lifeline as well as resources on their website. The vigil will be from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Andrews Park, 201 W. Daws St. in Norman.