JACKSON, Wyo. — A candlelight vigil in honor of Nex Benedict, a nonbinary teenager in Oklahoma who died after an altercation with other students in a bathroom, will be held on Town Square on Tuesday, Feb. 27, at 6:30 p.m., according to JH Pride.
“We are sad and we are angry to see this tragic, preventable loss,” JH Pride posted to Instagram. “To the gender diverse youth in our community: We love you. We are fighting for you.”
Candles will be provided. JH Pride encourages signs, cards and art.
A related event will be held on Thursday, March 7. The JH Gender Diversity Project and Mental Wellness Collaborative will host a Grief Debrief, a professionally supported conversation for those affected by Benedict’s death.
Wyoming’s gender-diverse youth are a hot topic. Senate File 99 is currently moving forward in Wyoming’s legislative session, which would ban doctors from providing gender-affirming care to minors, including surgeries and hormone therapy. The Wyoming chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union opposes SF99, arguing that medical care for LGBTQ+ youth should be handled by pediatricians instead of legislators.
