Key Takeaways:
– Nex Benedict, a 16-year-old from Oklahoma and a member of the 2SLGBTQ community, tragically died by suicide, confirmed by an autopsy report from the state’s Chief Medical Examiner.
– The day before their death, Benedict was involved in a physical altercation with several students at Owasso High School.
– Benedict identified as nonbinary, using they/them pronouns, and was part of a family registered with the Choctaw Nation.
– Freedom Oklahoma highlighted Benedict’s death as indicative of the heightened risks faced by transgender youth, amidst a backdrop of nationwide efforts to marginalize 2SLGBTQ+ individuals.
– The aftermath of Benedict’s death has sparked discussions on anti-LGBTQ bullying and violence, with calls for systemic changes to address bullying in schools.
– The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that LGBTQ+ youth face a higher risk of poor mental health, bullying, and violence compared to their non-LGBTQ+ peers.
– The Department of Education is investigating Owasso Public Schools for potential discrimination, following a complaint from the Human Rights Campaign.
– The Owasso Police Department, pending the medical examiner’s report, had suspected suicide as the cause of death and urges anyone in crisis to contact the Oklahoma Mental Health Lifeline.
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In a heartrending development from Oklahoma, the state’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has confirmed the suicide of 16-year-old Nex Benedict. A prominent member of the 2SLGBTQ community, Benedict’s life came to a tragic end following a physical confrontation with fellow students at Owasso High School.
Benedict, who embraced they/them pronouns, was nonbinary. Their identity was a proud reflection of their family’s heritage, with their mother being a registered member of the Choctaw Nation. The term 2SLGBTQ encompasses Two Spirit, a significant cultural marker for a third gender within Native and Indigenous communities.
The political advocacy group Freedom Oklahoma has voiced that Benedict’s untimely demise underscores the perilous environment transgender youth navigate. The group’s statement to ABC News lamented the hostile climate fostered by extremist political figures, emphasizing that such tragedies unfold against efforts to erase 2SLGBTQ+ visibility from public life.
The sorrowful event has reignited discussions on the pervasive issue of anti-LGBTQ bullying and violence. Benedict’s family, through their attorney, has made a poignant call to action, seeking substantial measures against bullying to prevent further loss of life.
Research by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) corroborates the heightened vulnerability of LGBTQ+ youth to adverse mental health outcomes, bullying, and violence, compared to their heterosexual peers. The CDC advocates for the implementation of supportive school policies to foster healthier environments for all students.
Amidst growing concern over these issues, the Department of Education has initiated an investigation into Owasso Public Schools. This action follows a discrimination complaint filed by the Human Rights Campaign, highlighting the urgent need for systemic change.
The Owasso Police Department, while awaiting the autopsy report, had indicated suicide as the likely cause of Benedict’s death. In light of this tragedy, the department encourages anyone facing a crisis or contemplating suicide to reach out to the Oklahoma Mental Health Lifeline for support.
This incident serves as a somber reminder of the challenges and dangers faced by LGBTQ+ youth, emphasizing the critical need for community, support, and systemic change to ensure a safer, more inclusive society for all individuals, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation.