New Jersey was just one of many locations nationwide where vigils were held this weekend honoring an Oklahoma teenager who died earlier this month one day after being in a fight in their high school bathroom. Sixteen-year-old Nex Benedict, who identified as nonbinary, was the apparent target of bullying.
Although police say preliminary information from an autopsy report shows Benedict’s death wasn’t a result of trauma, members of the LGBTQ+ community say their treatment in school is a prime example of the challenges transgender and nonbinary children face.
“We’re also seeing high impacts of bullying impacting students here in New Jersey,” said Shannon Cuttle, chair of the New Jersey Anti-Bullying Task Force.
“There has to be a point where we stand up and say enough — enough of the bullying. These kids deserve a chance to live their authentic truths.” said Chis Budin, of Unitarian Universalist FaithAction NJ at a vigil in Montclair.
Advocates are calling on lawmakers to do more to protect members of the LGBTQ+ community.
