As Boston College students, faculty, and members of the community gathered to recognize and lament Nex Benedict, a banner that read “Rest in Power Nex” hung over the stove in the O’Connell House.
Nathan Schirtzinger, associate director of the Queer Leadership Council (QLC) and MCAS ’24, prayed, “May our collective sorrow be heard.” “Nex was a light,” he said. “Nex is a substance. We may serve as a source of light. This is my request.”
A celebration was held on Thursday night in memory of Benedict, a non-binary student who passed away on February 8 after a physical encounter with another student at their high school in Oklahoma.
Authorities said on Wednesday that Benedict did not pass away as a result of the injuries sustained during the encounter, despite the fact that the cause of death is still being looked into.
The ceremony was intended to provide a place for individuals to pause and reflect on Benedict, even if others have moved on, according to Claire Mengel, co-founder of the Trans* Collective and QLC intersectionality consultant.
Mengel, MCAS ’26, said, “My primary motivation for preparing tonight was to take the time to pause, acknowledge that things have changed, and to let you understand that none of us are alone in this grief.” “Our group did remember Nex in our memory, even as the world seems to go on.”
Mengel expressed hope that the fight against transgender prejudice may be strengthened by honoring and sharing Benedict’s history.
Without making a strong effort to combat all of these signs of prejudice, hatred, and violence, Mengel said, “It is wrong to grieve for Nex.” “I hope that as we take this time to grieve and be in community, each of us will grow more committed to this.”
H. Edwards, co-founder of the Trans* Collective and plan coordinator for QLC, claimed Benedict’s institution let them down.
According to Edwards, MCAS ’26, “The school failed Nex.” “After knowing that he had been beaten, they didn’t call him an ambulance. The school did not recognize the abuse that was occurring. Additionally, following this tragedy, the university suspended Nex for two weeks.”
They were loved by some, according to Edwards, despite the fact that the current systems had failed Benedict.
“It breaks my heart to know that the world treated someone who is so fresh and deserving of love and respect so badly,” Edwards said. “But, despite our networks failing Nex, he was incredibly beloved at home. Nex had a profound impact on the lives of so many people, including his family and friends, and he was truly special.”
Maeve Yurcisin, MCAS ’27, a QLC rookie member, shared a song they wrote in honor of Benedict.
“You told me to reduce your message for the children, but as I see it, this is my only option,” Yurcisin said. “You make up your mind that I have no respect for the quiet voices of a generation that has been destroyed.”
According to Chuck Bacciocco, MCAS ’26 and a ceremony attendee, society must evolve and learn to recognize trans and intersex people.
“All nonbinary, trans people bring a beautiful light and perspective into daily conversations and situations,” Bacciocco said. “If we choose to view nonbinary and trans people as any less than ourselves, it would be a great injustice to the LGBTQ community, to this University, to this country, and to this world.”
Some trans college students are burdened by Mengel’s claim that a sizable amount of trans people pass away before starting school.
“There’s a burden of being trans and queer in college, of carrying the memories of so many of our siblings that didn’t make it here,” Mengel said. “The persons who had every right to be standing next to me in those classes will always be accompanied by anger and grief.”
Mengel believes that being a part of a community is crucial at BC.
Mengel said, “It is important that we show up because this school is isolating because we attend Boston College.”
Mengel ended the celebration by urging attendees to remember one another.
“My last request is that you all remember that we are here for each other and with each other, and that is important as we go our separate ways tonight—both in spirit and in the upcoming semester,” Mengel said.
