I was shocked, saddened and disturbed by the death of Nex Benedict in Owasso, Oklahoma in February 2024. As it happened, I was making a trip to Tulsa to visit my sister. If I had known of it, I might have attended one of the vigils at Owasso or down in Tulsa. We drove by the turn-off to Owasso a couple times but didn't try to visit there.

We did drive down to Guthrie Green in the Tulsa Arts District where one vigil was held. And we visited the Woody Guthrie Center right across the street.

At times it seems the future is dim in states like Oklahoma, Texas, and Florida where discrimination against all LGBT people and especially transgenders is rife. But I still have hope. There are many good people in those states who are LGBT, who support the rights of LGBT people and are active in fighting back.

I've listed a few sources I found in seeking background for my poem in memory of Nex.

You can hear some of those people speak at a school board meeting in Owasso in the third YouTube link. Special thanks to Walter Masterson for flying from New York out to Tulsa to attend the meeting, speak there and report on it.

https://glaad.org/read-the-stories-of-nex-benedict-as-told-b...

https://slate.com/human-interest/2024/03/nex-benedict-transm...

https://www.nytimes.com/article/nex-benedict-oklahoma.html?s...

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/26/opinion/nex-benedict-nonb...

https://youtu.be/9DSszLd6juE?si=7VDX5kBPeiodwf-p
((MAJOR Updates on The Transphobic Slaying of Nex Benedict, Powered By Rainbows)

https://youtu.be/6zRgGFjOMO4?si=NZw3KLxhzhBUUANy
((Protest for Nex Benedict draws dozens in Owasso, KJRH-TV Tulsa Channel 2)

https://youtu.be/GejyQV46Vps?si=AJ65VphSeH48nkOr
((Speaking at the School where NEX BENEDICT was Killed, by Walter Masterson))