GLAAD, OKLAHOMA EQUALITY, EDUCATION, AND 2SLGBTQIA+ LEADERS ON THE RESIGNATION OF RYAN WALTERS, SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION

Ryan Walters, Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction, announced his resignation last night, following years of advocacy from local and national organizations and everyday Oklahomans to hold him accountable for a tenure that included overseeing Oklahoma’s drop to 50th in the nation for education quality. 

Walters’ record includes efforts to ban books, elevate anti-LGBTQ disinformation and rhetoric, and policies that targeted the safety and acceptance of 2SLGBTQIA+ (2 Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Asexual Plus) students in Oklahoma. 

Walters’ leadership came under international scrutiny following the death of 16-year-old Nex Benedict, a 2SLGBTQIA+ student at Owasso High School, that was preceded by unchecked bullying and a knockout 3 against 1 attack in the school bathroom.

Statement from Hailey Briggs, Oklahomans for Equality Executive Director
“Oklahomans for Equality recognizes the resignation of State Superintendent Ryan Walters as a pivotal moment for our state. Under his tenure, many of Oklahoma’s most marginalized students, including 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, and the educators who support them faced harmful rhetoric and policies that threatened safe and affirming learning environments.

This change in leadership is an opportunity for Oklahoma to recommit to an education system rooted in respect, inclusion, and opportunity for every student. We urge state leaders to listen to educators, families, and young people, and to build classrooms where every child feels safe and supported and where educators are trusted and equipped to do their work. Oklahomans for Equality remains committed to advocating for policies that protect students, affirm identities, and support educators, ensuring our schools reflect the values of care and community.”

Statement from Troy Stevenson, Executive Director of TEN: The Equality Network
“It is vital to the future of our state that curriculums in all Oklahoma public schools be predicated on the highest standards of education rather than utilized as tools of political indoctrination. To that end, it is our hope that the next State Superintendent of Public Instruction will focus on fostering a climate and culture within our schools that is safe for all students regardless of race, gender, ability, orientation, or identity. 

In 2010, Oklahoma ranked 17th nationally in public education outcomes, today we are 50th. Governor Stitt has the opportunity to appoint a true advocate for our youth, and we will do everything in our power to help in that regard. As we saw last year with the tragic death of Nex Benedict, when our schools focus on division and stigmatization – rather than safety and inclusion – we quite literally lose the best and the brightest among us.  This vacancy presents an opportunity to reset and refocus on returning to a standard of high quality educational outcomes, rather than politicizing and polarizing the next generation of Oklahomans.”

Statement from State Rep. Michelle McClain, District 72 (Tulsa)
“Like many in my district, I am glad to finally see Walters put students first by resigning as superintendent and I know there are many LGBTQIA+ students and families breathing a little easier today. Unfortunately, while Walters announced his resignation on Fox News, the Governor’s office has not yet confirmed when or if it will take effect. His resignation doesn’t undo the harm he’s caused, nor does it erase the failure of the Legislature to hold elected officials accountable and provide oversight of state agencies. Walters wasn’t the problem, his harmful and hateful agenda was, and he’s not the only one pushing it. His replacement will be appointed by the same governor who propelled him into power in 2020. Now, more than ever, is the time for the people to stay engaged: to keep showing up at state and local board meetings, staying in communication with legislators, and holding us accountable at the ballot box. Oklahoma’s students deserve better, and real change will only come when we demand it together.”

Calvin Michael Moniz, Vice President and Board Member, District 2 – Tulsa Public Schools
“With today’s announcement of leadership change at the Oklahoma State Department of Education, LGBTQ+ students, educators, staff, and families can feel a renewed sense of hope that public education in Oklahoma will no longer be a place where they must hide who they are. 

Every member of our school community deserves the safety and respect to live as their authentic selves. My hope is that this moment marks the beginning of a renewed commitment to inclusion, dignity, and partnership across our schools.”

Statement from PFLAG Tulsa
“PFLAG Tulsa is unwavering in our commitment to the safety of our LGBTQIA+ family members. Our loved ones, children, and students across Oklahoma schools deserve to access learning environments free from hostility. All students should be able to attend class without fear for their safety. It is time Oklahoma leadership prioritizes education outcomes and school safety over politically divisive distractions.”

Statement from GLAAD
“Ryan Walters’ record shows profound failure for Oklahoma’s public school students, faculty, and families, including failing to keep students safe. 2SLGBTQIA+ students in Oklahoma deserve leaders who will recognize them and their basic needs to be themselves and be safe, which are essential to everyone’s ability to learn and thrive. 

The Walters era will be defined by his failures, a permanent record that will follow him wherever he goes. All schools and states must be laser focused on helping students, not divisive political agendas.”

Walters’ record of harmful statements, policies, and corruption are documented here.

An ad created shortly after the death of Nex Benedict in February 2024 highlights the swath of negative headlines Walters earned during his tenure. 

Walters’ record includes:

• Falsely denying the existence and history of Two Spirit and gender expansive people including among Indigenous cultures in his own state, after the bullying, beating and death of Two Spirit Transgender Gender Nonconforming (2STGNC+) teenager Nex Benedict, who was of Choctaw heritage
• Pushing book bans, harassing educators who support the freedom to read, and appearing with national book banning group Moms for Liberty, an appearance for which Walters billed Oklahoma taxpayers
• Producing and promoting videos that wrongfully and dangerously accuse transgender youth of being a threat in schools. 35% of transgender students report being assaulted in school bathrooms that do not align with their gender identity.
• Spreading disinformation about accurate inclusive history in his state, including denying that the Tulsa Massacre was a racist attack
• Appointed a social media influencer with a record of posting inaccurate and inflammatory rhetoric about LGBTQ people to a state library panel that makes recommendations on materials and book ban efforts. The influencer has no background in education or literacy, does not live in Oklahoma, and has no children in Oklahoma schools.

Additional background:

Since June 2022, GLAAD’s ALERT Desk tracked 25 anti-LGBTQ incidents in Oklahoma, including seven bomb threats (two of which targeted K-12 schools) and the violent assault of Nex Benedict.

A 2024 Washington Post analysis of FBI data finds hate crimes on K-12 campuses more than quadrupled in states like Oklahoma that have passed restrictive laws against LGBTQ students.