Non-binary Teen Dead In Oklahoma

February 8th marks another queer life cut too short. There’s been a history of queer people being beaten and murdered. It’s started hitting me a lot harder when they’re younger than me. They never got a chance to grow up.

Nex Benedict was a nonbinary teen who went to Owasso High School. They enjoyed playing Minecraft and loved their cat. They were jumped in the bathroom at school. Three girls had been laughing and teasing Nex and their friend. Nex got fed up and poured water on the girls. The girls then found that enough of an excuse to begin attacking them. Nex banged their head on the bathroom floor during this fight. They had gone to the hospital and then been discharged, just to be rushed back the next day after collapsing at home. They died in the hospital. Another queer life was snuffed out.

Oklahoma has already proven that it is not a safe place for transgender individuals. A state law passed in 2022 requires people, no matter their gender identity, to use the bathroom and locker room of their sex assigned at birth. They claim to be “keeping the children safe”. A 16-year-old is dead and the disciplinary action towards the girls that attacked them can not be disclosed. It’s sickening to think that there’s possibly nothing being done. 

Despite the hostile environment Oklahoma has created, there’s a possibility the school systems could be supportive, right? Wrong. Ryan Walters, Oklahoma’s superintendent for public schools, has preached anti-trans rhetoric since the beginning of his job. After an interview preceding Nex’s death, he made his stance known. He does not believe transgender people exist. This is only fueling an unsafe environment at schools for people who already feel targeted. We’ve now seen what this rhetoric can do. 

A GoFundMe has been set up for Nex’s family. If you would like to help them out, I’ve linked it below this post. Spread the word and inform people. The only way we can ensure security is to inform the uneducated. Those who refuse to be educated despite the efforts of others are ignorant and not worth the time. Toxic energy is not something to keep in your life. Stay safe. Fly high, Nex. Rest in power.

Fundraiser for Sue Benedict by Kasandra Phelps : Dagny Benedict (gofundme.com)