We are grieving with our community, and across the U.S., the tragic death and loss of Nex Benedict, a 16-year-old nonbinary student who was assaulted and beaten by fellow students at Owasso High School after weeks of bullying; Nex died the next day on February 8th. This should never have happened.
In this post, Illuminative well-captured the devastating stats about the lack of safety and high suicide rates that impact our 2SLGBTQ+ young people, just like Nex (learn more here at the Trevor Project). Camp Fire has long supported and affirmed all 2SLGBTQ+ young people and works to create spaces where all young people feel safe and can thrive. In fact, we just published a new study about “the impact of both physical spaces and psychological conditions that allow youth “to just be,” with an emphasis on identity and gender-affirming practices for transgender and non-binary young people,” because we KNOW how much it matters for all adults and organizations to CREATE these spaces. They don’t just happen.
We must come together and support one another – especially our 2SLGBTQ+ youth. Our young people should never live in fear. They need us.
Members of Camp Fire Green Country plan to be at Nex’s vigil Sunday evening ❤️
Please be aware of and share these important lifesaving resources:
- Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860 (Staffed by transgender folks, for transgender folks; toll-free)
- The Trevor Project Hotline: 866-488-7386 (Available 24/7; with counselors trained in supporting LGBTQ youth)
- Rainbow Youth Project: 988 or call (317) 643-4888 (Crisis line)
- Native Crisis Text line: Text NATIVE to 741741 (Available 24/7; text support provided by crisis counselors)
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