We mourn the tragic loss of Nex Benedict, a beloved member of our community whose life was cut short by a senseless act of violence in their school bathroom. This devastating incident underscores the urgent need for action to protect and uplift transgender, gender nonbinary, and intersex (TGI) individuals.
The decisions made by those in power too often fail to prioritize the safety and well-being of TGI people, leaving us vulnerable to harm and discrimination. We are in a state of emergency, and it is imperative that we come together to resist and challenge systems that perpetuate violence against our community.
Every act of violence has a profound impact on the lives of TGI individuals, particularly our youth. As an organization, we stand in solidarity with our youth and affirm that their lives are valuable, their identities are valid, and they deserve love and support.
It is disheartening to see institutions that should protect and support us disregard our cries for help. We must engage in meaningful conversations to educate and advocate for the rights and dignity of TGI individuals.
“Urgency that needs to happen for all of us to activate; we can’t continue to be sitting on the sidelines and just pretend that the violence we experience is not happening, so we have to make sure to wake up because this is the reality and it is unfortunate that the life of young people are being lost due to the ignorance and the stupidity that we have within our society.” expressed Bamby Salcedo, President/CEO of The TransLatin@ Coalition.
The statistics are grim: record-breaking bills targeting TGI rights and alarming rates of violence have left our community with the shortest life expectancy. But we refuse to be defined by these statistics. Instead, we call upon all allies to join us in dismantling systems of oppression and creating a world where TGI individuals can live freely and without fear.
Together, we can fight back against the systemic violence and erasure that threaten our existence. Our message is one of unity and resilience—we demand the same opportunities and freedoms afforded to all members of society.
If you’re a TGI youth and need support, please check out the resources at the Los Angeles LGBT Center.