Body-positive candle co. in Milwaukee raises funds in memory of nonbinary teen Nex Benedict

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The LGBTQ+ community across the U.S. continues to mourn the death of a teen that identified as nonbinary in Oklahoma, after an alleged bullying incident in early February.

Nex Benedict, 16, died on Feb. 8, a day after telling police they were jumped at school. Multiple reports say that Benedict was allegedly beaten up by three girls in a bathroom.

Officials have not yet formally announced the cause of death, but multiple news outlets report that Owasso police have said the initial report from the medical examiner indicates that Benedict "did not die as a result of trauma."

A Black, queer-owned candle company in Milwaukee, known as CTOAN Co., has been raising funds for "16 days in honor of the 16 years Nex spent on earth," according to the company's Instagram post.

Jodyann Morgan told CBS 58 News that school was a scary place. She said she was bullied for her Jamaican accent and for being queer.

"It absolutely stays with you," she said. "I went through a lot of issues with family or the school system because of my orientation; I ended up going to Harvey Milk High School, which is a high school in New York City that catered toward the LGBTQ community."

The Owasso Police Department recently released body camera footage of when the teen was admitted to the hospital, shortly after the alleged incident at school. In the 20-minute video, police question Benedict about how the fight unfolded and Benedict states that a few girls, they didn't know, were talking about the way that they dress.

Morgan said she was heartbroken after hearing the latest news regarding Nex.

"I was in shock, devastated, it was a lot of emotions," said Morgan.

Since starting her own body-positive candle company in 2021, Morgan said she's donated about $10,000 to nonprofits.

Her latest initiative: a fundraiser in memory of Nex. This includes the 'Trans Flag Candles,' and the 'Imperfect Candles,' as well as the stickers, cross stitch and coloring pages.

"It goes to GSAFE, which is an organization in Wisconsin that allows queer and trans kids to have, to feel safer in school," Morgan added.

Thanks to two matching donors, the company has already contributed at least $1,300 to GSAFE, and they'll continue to do so until March 9.

"Progress should not happen just because of a trending topic on social media, we should be going out of our way to make sure that everyone -- doesn't matter skin color, sexual orientation-- feel(s) safe at any moment," Morgan concluded.