Vigil In Hartford Wednesday To Pay Tribute To Fallen Trans Teen

HARTFORD, CT — Connecticut LGBTQ activists and supporters are expected to visit the capitol Wednesday evening for a candlelight vigil in tribute to Nex Benedict.

Benedict is the nonbinary high school student in Owasso, OK., who died on Feb. 8 after a fight in the public high school's restroom. It has been alleged Benedict was a victim of anti-trans bullying.

Wednesday's event will be at 6 p.m. in the lobby of the Connecticut State Capitol Building, 210 Capitol Ave., Hartford.

The vigil is expected to feature speakers within the LGBTQ community and it will be hosted by state Rep. Sarah Keitt, D-Fairfield, who is the parent of a transgender child.

Wednesday's vigil is aimed at raising awareness of transgender issues and to pay tribute to Benedict.

Such issues have become a main aspect of the growing political divide in the country.

"As anti-trans rhetoric rises and hundreds of bills targeting queer youth are filed in state legislatures, Nex’s death has instigated a wave of sorrow and outrage," reads a statement issued by event organizers on Tuesday.

The vigil is being sponsored by several LGBTQ organizations in Connecticut, including: Out Accountability Project CT; Equality Connecticut; Q+; The Health Collective; Kamora's Cultural Corner; New Haven Pride Center; Trans Haven; Health Care Advocates International; PFLAG Hartford; Triangle Community Center; Planned Parenthood Votes Connecticut; and the Yale Gender Program.

Vigils have been taking place to honor Benedict nationwide, including her hometown, which is located in deeply red Oklahoma.

For more information on Connecticut's Nex Benedict vigil, click on this link.