*** Trigger Warning ***Death of Nex Benedict spurs calls for action, help for LGBTQ teens and their peershttps://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/death-of-nex-benedict-spurs-calls-for-action-help-for-lgbtq-teens-and-their-peers/ar-BB1k0uz0?ocid=windirect&cvid=d72b958ef6454687b4bd3c5bee063618&ei=26Story by Phaedra Trethan (16 March 2024)
Nex Benedict's death Feb. 8 sparked outrage, pain and worry, among many, particularly in the LGBTQ community.
Amid allegations of bullying and anti-LGBTQ polices in Oklahoma and elsewhere, advocates are urging greater support for children and teens who feel disheartened by Benedict's death, anti-transgender rhetoric and escalating violence against the community. Owasso Public Schools Superintendent Margaret Coates called Benedict's death "devastating." State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters called Benedict's death a "tragedy," but also said LGBTQ groups are "pushing a false narrative."
"The system didn't not just just fail Nex," said Cathy Renna, director of communications for the National LGBTQ Task Force and a longtime activist. "It failed the kids who attacked them."
"Transgender and nonbinary kids are here, they are remarkable, they are just like other kids, and they are part of the fabric of this country," said Jennifer Grosshandler, co-founder and executive director of the GenderCool Project.
The hate, violence and angry rhetoric directed at young people who don't conform to traditional gender identities "is driven by adults, and accepted by a small number of young people who think it's OK to treat human beings this way," said Grosshandler, whose daughter, Chazzie, is transgender. "It's simply not."===============================================================================
* Trans Lifeline: Provides peer support and crisis intervention for
transgender and non-binary people.
Call: 1-877-565-8860 or
Visit:
https://translifeline.org/ * The Trevor Project: Provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention
services for LGBTQ+ youth.
Call: 1-866-488-7386 or visit:
Visit:
https://www.thetrevorproject.org/ * The Trevor Project's resources for parents and allies:
https://www.thetrevorproject.org/resources/article/friends-family-support-systems-for-lgbtq-youth/ * The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): Offers support and
for people with mental health conditions, including LGBTQ+ individuals.
Visit:
https://www.nami.org/Home * The Jed Foundation: Provides mental health resources and suicide prevention
information for teens and young adults, including LGBTQ+ youth.
Visit:
https://jedfoundation.org/If you have any questions please contact any of the Moderation Staff for assistance.
