National
The Story of Nex Benedict
Nex Benedict, a transgender Oklahoma high school student, died under mysterious circumstances following an assault from several older girls at school the day prior. While the local police department has ruled that the death was not caused by trauma, LGBTQ+ advocates have been frustrated by the lack of transparency in the case, with the Human Rights Campaign going so far as to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights. Benedict’s death and subsequent school and police response have sparked nationwide conversations about the bullying of transgender, nonbinary, and other gender-expansive teens in schools. Here’s everything you need to know about the heartbreaking death of high school student Nex Benedict. And if you're interested in helping and supporting trans youth in Oklahoma, here are some helpful resources.
Religion
“By removing barriers to priests blessing LGBTQ couples, the Pope accurately recognizes that LGBTQ people and our relationships are worthy of the same affirmation and support in the Church, and this strengthens couples in their faith and to the community. This is the latest in a historic pattern of actions and announcements from Pope Francis which show that LGBTQ people should not be used as a dividing issue, and we are worthy of love, respect and compassion.”
Legislation
In a coordinated push led by national anti-LGBTQ+ groups, legislators across the country have overridden the recommendations of the American medical establishment and introduced hundreds of bills that target transgender and non-binary youth’s access to age-appropriate, medically-necessary care. The attack on gender affirming care is relentless and changing every day. Here, the Human Rights Campaign provides a real-time snapshot of the assault against trans youth’s access to age-appropriate and medically necessary gender affirming care in the United States.