EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — Multiple groups, including the Borderland Rainbow Center, gathered to mourn and honor the life of Nex Benedict on Sunday evening at Memorial Park Library.

They held a moment of silence to remember the El Paso native nonbinary student who died after a physical altercation in an Oklahoma high school bathroom.

The groups also demanded action to address violence against “trans and gender non-conforming people everywhere,” according to their announcement about the event.

According to the Owasso Police Department, Benedict went to the emergency room after school hours and later died.

Police said the investigation is ongoing and according to preliminary findings, Benedict died due to trauma. A toxicology report is still pending.

Following the death of Benedict, the LGBTQ+ community in El Paso said they’re hurt.

The Borderland Rainbow Center reacted to the incident.

“They’ve said that that the person, the youth, didn’t die due to trauma and we’re like, oh yeah, because you’re a perfectly healthy 16-year-old and die the next day,” Amber Perez, executive director of the Borderland Rainbow Center said.

Perez said that according to FBI data between 2022 – 2023 there has been a 32% increase of hate crimes based on gender identity.

Perez told NewsNation affiliate KTSM what happened to Benedict is shocking, difficult to process and angering.

KTSM asked Perez what leads to these hate crimes, and she said it’s because people are uncomfortable and not inclusive.

“We don’t hear this every day, but we have heard it happen; And not to this extent, obviously, but we do hear of bullying,” Perez said.

Perez said the Borderland Rainbow Center has made progress in being able to speak up and speak out for those who are too scared to do so. The center has also created a bond with the local school districts to train administrators, that way they can build a more inclusive group.

“Adults set the tone for the culture,” said Perez.

“We literally have heard of families getting up and moving. They’ve left Texas. They’re moving to blue states because they’re terrified; Because it is a very scary moment in time,” Perez said.

The Borderland Rainbow Center said they work with school districts to create more of an LGBTQ+ ally ship on how an individual can be an ally and familiarize themselves with the vocabulary, symbols and giving them a safe space to ask questions and get answers.

Perez told KTSM it’s all about building inclusion, making all feel safe.