The National Organization for Women sponsored a vigil at the University of Central Oklahoma to remember lost transgender individuals on the Transgender Day of Remembrance.
This event was a memorial for trans people who died within the past two years. Students took turns reading the names of the victims and their obituaries. Every trans person mentioned had died by homicide or suicide.
The vigil was particularly emotional due to the loss of Avi Harjo, a trans UCO student, last year. Harjo died by apparent suicide on Nov. 17, 2024, outside Old North. Their name brought tears to the eyes of many students who attended the vigil. Victor Clayton (he/they), an attendee and UCO student, recalled the university’s lack of openness about Harjo’s gender identity last year.
“I remember with Avi, I found out they were transgender a few days after, there was nothing from the school, no message at all,” Clayton said.
Harjo’s obituary was read by a faculty member while tissues were passed around. The obituary described their life and hobbies.
“Avi loved to sing, dance, dress up, and was always up for a good party. They loved to write poetry and song lyrics,” the statement read. “If they saw someone alone, left out, or feeling uncertain, they would always be drawn to this person to shine their light on them.”
Students also shared how Nex Benedict’s death had affected them. Benedict was a trans student at Owasso High School who died on Feb. 8, 2024, one day after they were attacked by a group of students in a school bathroom.
“It was a big deal because it was on the news. These types of things aren’t usually on the news,” said UCO student Noah Currey (he/they). “So when we saw Nex on the news, it was a big deal and it caused a lot of fear.”
Clayton also shared the fear he felt when he found out about Benedict.
“Nex Benedict was a really big hit on me. The fact that it happened in my state really made it set in that this isn’t over with. We still have a really long way to go.”
Suicide rates in trans individuals have been increasing over the years. A study from The Trevor Project, a suicide prevention organization for LGBTQ+ youth, shows that suicide attempts in trans teenagers have increased by 72 percent in states that have passed anti-transgender laws. Homicide rates have also been rising, with there being 316 trans homicides since 2017, 73 percent committed with a firearm.
Students who attended the event shared why they felt it was important to have vigils honoring the community.
“These people mattered and still matter. There are people that care about you,” Currey said.
Members of NOW wanted to make their message clear: “You are not alone, there is a place for you on campus.”
