Oh dear, let me tell you, the world out there is a tough place, even more so if you’re a young person who feels a bit different from the rest. This story I’m about to tell ya happened over in Oklahoma, and it’s a sad one, but it’s also something folks need to know about so things might change a bit. So, we’re talking here about folks like Nex Benedict, a young soul who, bless them, didn’t feel quite like any one box that society likes to put folks in. Nex, just 16 years old and a 2STGNC person (that’s Two-Spirit, transgender, and gender non-conforming if you’re wondering), faced a world that just wasn’t kind.
What Happened to Nex Benedict
Now, Nex was just trying to live their life like any other young’un, going to school, minding their own business. But in Oklahoma, things haven’t always been so welcoming for kids like Nex. One day, in a school restroom, something terrible happened — they were attacked. I can’t imagine what that poor child went through. After that, Nex didn’t make it, and you can feel the weight of sadness in every corner of this story. The tragedy sent a wave through the community, especially through those who feel the same, like 2STGNC+ kids and their families, who often feel like they’re walking on eggshells trying to stay safe.
What’s Going On in Oklahoma?
Now you see, in places like Oklahoma, there’s been talk about laws and rules that just aren’t helping young folks like Nex feel safe. Some leaders and lawmakers have been focusing on these so-called “protective” laws that, in fact, are making life a whole lot harder for these kids. Imagine just wanting to be yourself but feeling like the laws are standing against ya. These young folks, they just want a little support, maybe a kind word, or just to feel like they can be themselves without the whole state giving them the side-eye. These laws, as it seems, have created more troubles for schools and the young ones who attend them. Not every place or person has a heart full of welcome.
2STGNC and LGBTQ Support
But it ain’t all grim, mind you. There are groups out there like GLAAD and local Oklahoma organizations that stand by these young folks and lend a helping hand. They offer guidance to make sure they’re not alone, ‘cause when things go rough, everyone deserves someone to lean on, especially when it feels like the law itself is against ya. These groups, they provide support, community, and a voice for the young’uns who don’t always get heard. They’re always putting their energy into helping the next Nex Benedict who comes along, hoping to make the world a little kinder.
Calls for Change
There’s been a big fuss since Nex’s passing, with people asking for change, saying, “We can’t let this happen again.” Local leaders, community members, and even folks from across the country have been raising their voices, asking the Oklahoma Department of Education and state leaders to stop looking the other way. There’s a big need for these leaders to listen, to make some real changes that could make kids like Nex feel safe in their own schools. Imagine sending your child to school and not knowing if they’ll be safe; that’s a fear no parent or kid should carry.
Why It Matters
In the end, it matters because every young person deserves to be safe, deserves to be seen, and deserves to be treated like they belong, no matter what box they fit into. The story of Nex Benedict has shown a spotlight on the struggles 2STGNC kids face and the need for laws and leaders that actually protect ‘em. Life is tough as it is for a kid growing up, and these laws should be making things easier, not harder. So, it’s a call to those in charge to look closer, to listen harder, and maybe to have a bit more heart for the young folks out there just trying to live their lives.
So let’s keep talking, let’s keep listening, and most importantly, let’s keep looking out for these young folks who need all the support they can get.
Tags：[Oklahoma, 2STGNC, LGBTQ, Nex Benedict, school safety, GLAAD]
