Oklahomans For Equality Statements
Oklahomans for Equality President's Letters
OKLAHOMA-BASED AND OTHER LGBTQ AND 2STGNC+ ORGANIZATIONS RELEASE STATEMENT ON MEDICAL EXAMINER REPORT ON THE DEATH OF NEX BENEDICT
Tulsa, Oklahoma, Friday, March 15 - Oklahoma-based LGBTQ and 2STGNC+ organizations are responding to the release of a report by the Oklahoma Medical Examiner’s Office regarding the death of Nex Benedict. Nex was a 16-year-old of Choctaw heritage who identified as trans masculine and non-binary, and used he/him or they/them pronouns according to loved ones.
Nex died the day after being attacked three-on-one in a restroom at Owasso High School in Owasso, Oklahoma last month following the policy in Oklahoma that students use the bathrooms that align with their sex assigned at birth.
Nex had reported to police in the hospital following the attack that they had endured a year of bullying in the school, and that they did not believe the school would do anything to address the bullying. The officer discouraged Nex and their family from reporting the incident.
Nex Benedict 
A joint statement from Oklahomans for Equality and T.A.C.O. (Trans Advocacy Coalition of Oklahoma)
Our hearts are broken for the Oklahoma 2SLGBTQIA+ community and for the family, friends, and loved ones of Nex Benedict.
While we are still learning all of the facts surrounding the death of the 16-year-old Owasso student, we are certain that every student has the right to a safe learning environment, free from deadnaming, misgendering, outing, and violence, as well as appropriate medical care.
The persistent, vitriolic legislation and rhetoric being championed by our state leaders are breeding animosity, inciting violence, and harming the queer community, especially our youth.
As we grieve and acknowledge this loss, we are reminded of the work yet to be done because our lives depend on it. Nex Benedict and the countless 2SLGBTQIA+ teens like them deserve better from our state and medical facilities. They deserve the chance to fully be themselves. They deserve to grow up.
Rest in power, Nex.
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