The Trevor Project | Charity Shout Out
Nex Benedict
(January 11, 2008 – February 8, 2024)
Age 16
In 1973 we were horrified at the loss of lives at The UpStairs Lounge. In 1988, Rebecah Wight was murdered, and for a blink, the world cared. In 1998, we were devastated at the brutal killing of Matthew Shepard. In 2023 Brianna Ghey lost her life to hate. In February of this year, Nex Benedict, a non binary student, was murdered and barely a whisper was heard of it, and no justice had as of the writing of this piece.
We've fallen prey to the illusion that cultural evolution has put the victimization of the LGBTQIA+ community mostly in the rear view. An unpleasant memory, and nothing more. It's somehow rationalized
that, as we aren't openly jailing people for doing nothing more than loving who they love, or existing as the identity they choose, we are above such backwoods bigotry.
The reality is a far different creature. Every day legislation is being pushed to harm the LBTQIA+community. Hate crimes targeting members of the community are on the rise. There are states so hostile
to the community, that travel to them is advised against, as is seen with the NAACPs guidance on travel to Florida, citing its treatment and victimization of African Americans, People of Color, and the LGBTQIA+
community. We watched Marsha Johnson throw a brick for us in 1969 only to watch a wall be built around us by 2024.
We can't afford silence, and we can't afford erasure. There are hundreds of charities worthy of merit, working to combat exactly that. To try to fit them here would require more space than anyone has, sadly.
Many reputable organizations can be found via Lgbtmap.org, and a list of rated charities is housed on Charitynavigator.org.
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A charity deserving of particular focus is the The Trevor Project. Their mission is stated is "To end suicide among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning young people". And they excel at it. As a
trans woman myself, doing peer support for the trans community in Greenville S.C, the amount of youth I encountered in dire need of suicide prevention, understanding, or love- even should it come from a stranger- was and is overwhelming. After becoming aware of The Trevor Project, it became staple information included in every packet I gave out, every welcome basket, every conversation, and on every card I pressed into a crying kids hand. It saved lives. It had an impact, and continues to do so, and it needs to thrive. It cannot do so without support.
More information can be found via their website, TheTrevorProject.org, as well as via their social media
presence Sometimes performing a great work involves little more than helping another when few other will. No sweat, no toil, just a desire to make someone's life or day just a bit better or more manageable
than the one before. Just showing that a single person cares.
To the children in the LGBTQIA+ community, even that is in short supply, and means more than anyone can know. Charity and organized efforts aside, If I can leave you with something to make a difference, a bit
of advice. A plead.If you see a trans child, an awkward gay kid- Give them a smile. Compliment a button, pin or flag. Of theyre wearing a band shirt, etc, talk to them.about. Even if you think the music sounds like
someone sawing a rabid badger in half. Engage them, make them feel seen, valid, and whenever possible, loved. Its become a rare commodity. As Aesop once said, "No act of kindness, no matter how small, is
ever wasted."