GLAAD STATEMENT ON MEDICAL EXAMINER REPORT ON DEATH OF NEX BENEDICT

GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis: “Nex Benedict’s family and the entire state of Oklahoma deserve far more answers and accountability from those charged with keeping Nex and all youth safe. What remains true: Nex Benedict and all LGBTQ and Two Spirit, Transgender, and Gender Nonconforming (2STGNC+) youth deserve a world that fights for them to be themselves, to be free from state-sponsored bullying and discrimination.”

(New York, NY, March 13, 2024) Today GLAAD, the world’s leading lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) media advocacy organization, responded to the release of a report by the Oklahoma Medical Examiner’s office. Nex was a 2STGNC+ (two spirit, transgender, gender nonconforming+) 16-year-old of Choctaw heritage who died the day after a three-on-one fight in a restroom at Owasso High School in Owasso, Oklahoma last month. Nex had reported to police in the hospital following the attack that they had endured months 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.

GLAAD’s President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis (she/her) issued the following statement in response to the report:
“There is nothing in this one page document to explain why the medical examiner checked a box. Media must have learned by now that they need to continue to question what they get from law enforcement and government entities in Oklahoma that have so far failed to protect vulnerable students and responsibly provide any information that is critical for student safety. Nex Benedict’s family and the entire state of Oklahoma deserve far more answers and accountability from those charged with keeping Nex and all youth safe. What remains true: Nex Benedict and all LGBTQ and Two Spirit, Transgender, and Gender Nonconforming (2STGNC+) youth deserve a world that fights for them to be themselves, to be free from state-sponsored bullying and discrimination. All media reporting on Nex’s death and the behavior of public officials before, during and after Nex’s death, must continue to demand accountability from state leaders about how they are working to protect all youth from harm and when they will stop their relentless attacks proven to cause harm. Our hearts remain with Nex’s family and all who grieve this horrific loss and the unacceptable violence that preceded it. It remains imperative that school environments reject bullying in all its forms.”

Yesterday, GLAAD released a new television ad currently airing in Oklahoma that showcases the failures of Oklahoma State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Ryan Walters, in his responsibility to keep all students safe, especially students who are 2STGNC+ and members of other vulnerable communities.

GLAAD is documenting Walters’ record here, which includes:

• Falsely and harmfully denying the existence and long 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 extremist 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
• Spreading disinformation about accurate inclusive history in his state, including denying that the Tulsa Massacre was a racist attack

Please see ReportingOnSuicide.org for critical recommendations for responsible media coverage. 

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