Hi Readers,

 The topic is a little heavy today. I wanted to share with you some of my processing of the death of Nex Benedict, a non-binary Oklahoma teen, who died after being assaulted in a high school bathroom. This is not only a memorial to them, but a kind of love letter to all non-binary and trans youth who are struggling. It was the only way I could think of to vent my anger over this tragedy, in a way that I felt had some artistic merit to it, rather than confining my grief to screaming into the void. If the subject matter here is too heavy for you, I understand, but thank you to those who read it. Additional resources are listed below for anyone seeking support. Let’s stand together in grieving, and continue to shed light on the hatred facing all of the trans community, but especially our younglings.

Sincerely,

sorloquator.

Never justified:

 a poem in memory of

 Nex Benedict

Friend said you were an artist,

Victim of erasure before you ever got started

Bigots outraged by a little bit of water,

Now, cops got the nerve to say that you’re the assaulter?

Murder that they’re claimin’ was suicide.

Straight a student, wanting nothing more than to defend their friends,

stand by their side,

So much more that we’ll never get to see.

Your death,

A legacy that comes from tragedy,

got me,

 A skinny little trans boy in his 30s,

 Writing rhymes for the first time.

Imperfect lines,

Tryin’ to make sense of a crime,

 That never can be justified

Never justified.

Tryin’ my best to turn this wounded cadence into a battle cry.

Violence has no resonance,

Giving voice to decent dissidence,

Thinkin’ ‘bout all the siblings you had to leave behind,

Beautiful butterflies,

called locusts,

by haters with no focus

Tryin' to snuff out their light,

 Even as millions of beautiful rainbows,

illuminate the sky.

Never justified

How many more innocents will have to die,

 For the sake of grown-ups drawling party lines?

Never justified

So much more I want to write,

But art only plays a part in,

Mending broken hearts,

Still bleeding,

Souls still grieving,

Over your leaving.

I didn’t choose to make my living preaching,

But I promise,

  I’ll keep reaching,

 Creating safe spaces,

 Places where your siblings,

Feel like their authentic hearts,

 Deserve to keep beating,

I’ll keep reaching

Keep teaching

My message,

 oversimplified,

 Kids, and grown-ups,

knowing,

Hate is never justified.

Never justified.

Additional resources:

https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/vigil-friends-remember-nex-benedict-fiery-kid-rcna140440 (The article Where I got a lot of personality traits about Nex to use in this poem.)

https://www.advocate.com/news/nex-benedict-autopsy-released (Article discussing the ramifications of Nex’s autopsy report.)

https://transadvocacyok.org/(Trans led organization in Oklahoma, offering a variety of resources for trans people.)

https://www.rainbowyouthproject.org/ (National organization geared towards the legal protection and education of GL BT + youth)

https://www.glsen.org/(organization which promotes the safety of GL BT youth throughout the country, and includes map of United States legal protections for transgender youth, by state. Also enables educators to get involved, and support student led Gay straight alliances.)

https://welcomingschools.org/resources (program funded by the human rights campaign, provides educational resources on inclusive school policies for educators parents, and gender diverse youth needing to know their rights.)

https://pflag.org/resource/transgender-resources/ (Another US-based organization that provides resources for people wanting to support transgender people in their lives, provide section that breaks down resources by state.)

https://lgbthotline.org/youth-talkline/ (non-active rescue crisis line, specializing in GL BT + youth.)

https://19thnews.org/2024/03/bathroom-safety-trans-nonbinary-people/ (Article showcasing practical strategies to try and make bathroom safer for trans and non-binary people.)

https://translifeline.org/hotline/ (transgender led nonactive rescue crisis line, and general support framework for anyone dealing with gender related concerns.)

https://lambdalegal.org/helpdesk/ (US-based legal organization specializing in helping the LGBT + community. Best for non-time sensitive inquiries.)

https://hlslgbtq.org/trans-youth-handbook (guide geared towards transgender youth, designed to provide an overview of legal rights and questions. Is designed to be a starting place for you to become their own advocate.)

https://www.charliehealth.com/?utm_medium=ppc&utm_source=googleAds&utm_campaign=Branded&campaignid=10979044058&adgroupid=108610959315&creative=659020760300&matchtype=p&network=g&device=c&keyword=charlie%20health&utm_term=charlie%20health&utm_content=CharlieHealth(p)&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwk6SwBhDPARIsAJ59GwcCZzo7saDfDPrESoQ3eN2ihpsiUGDBbhAETKhBXWKpV9OukmY_ZjgaAmP0EALw_wcB (Online gender and counseling clinic specializing in youth, children and teens. Except a variety of insurance and payment methods.)