“Nex Benedict: Outrage Over Death of Nonbinary Teen in Oklahoma Sparks Criticism of LGBTQ+ Legislation”

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Accident – Death – Obituary News : The tragic death of 16-year-old Nex Benedict, who identified as nonbinary, has sparked a wave of criticism towards Oklahoma legislation that many believe discriminates against the LGBTQ+ community. Nex, who preferred they/them pronouns, passed away following a physical altercation in a high school bathroom in a small town near Tulsa, Oklahoma, as confirmed by the Owasso Police Department (OPD).

The incident, which occurred one day before Nex’s untimely death, has raised concerns about the safety and well-being of LGBTQ+ individuals in the state. The teen’s mother, Sue Benedict, revealed to British news outlet The Independent that Nex had been a victim of bullying at Owasso High School for over a year. The bullying reportedly escalated after Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt signed a bill requiring students to use bathrooms corresponding to the gender on their birth certificates.

According to Sue Benedict, the bullying turned violent on February 7 when Nex sustained head injuries during a confrontation in the school bathroom. The OPD is currently investigating the incident, which involved three older students and another transgender student. Despite the altercation, all students involved were able to walk to the assistant principal’s office and nurse’s office without requiring ambulance service.

Tragically, the following day, Nex collapsed at home and was rushed to the St. Francis Pediatric Emergency Room, where they later passed away. The OPD clarified that the medical examiner’s preliminary findings did not attribute Nex’s death to trauma, although an official cause is pending toxicology reports.

The news of Nex’s demise has sparked outrage on social media, with many condemning the discriminatory legislation that may have contributed to the violent altercation. U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren and the Human Rights Campaign have called for justice for Nex and highlighted the detrimental impact of anti-LGBTQ+ laws on transgender and nonbinary youth.

Criticism has also been directed towards the school district for its handling of the incident and failure to involve authorities promptly. Despite the backlash, the district maintains that it followed protocol by notifying parents, conducting health assessments, and intervening to stop the altercation.

As the community mourns the loss of Nex Benedict, questions linger about the circumstances surrounding the tragedy and the need for greater support and protection for LGBTQ+ individuals in schools and society as a whole..

– Nonbinary teen bathroom fight
– Outrage over nonbinary teen’s death.