In a heartbreaking turn of events, the death of Nex Benedict, a 16-year-old transgender student from Oklahoma, has been officially ruled a suicide by medical examiners. The report, released on Wednesday, confirmed the cause of death, which occurred on February 8, a day after a fight at Owasso High School.

Nex, who used both he and they pronouns, was known to face bullying at school due to their gender identity, as conveyed by friends and family. The tragic incident has now become a rallying cry for LGBTQ activists who argue that the surge of legislation targeting the community has made schools less safe for queer and transgender students like Nex.

Body camera footage released by the police reveals Nex lying in a hospital bed after the altercation. In the video, Nex explains to a police officer how three students had assaulted them after Nex threw water at them in response to ongoing bullying targeted at them and their friend for their clothing choices.

Initial information from an autopsy report released by the Owasso Police Department indicated that Nex's death was not a result of trauma. However, a spokesperson later clarified that the possibility of the fight contributing to or causing the tragic event had not been ruled out.

The Benedict family's attorney, Jacob Biby, and a spokesperson for Owasso Public Schools have yet to respond to requests for comment. In response to the prevailing culture of bullying that often goes unpunished, students of Owasso High School organized a walkout on February 26. These students aimed to raise awareness of the persistent issue and demand action to prevent such tragic outcomes.

One of the walkout organizers, called Kane for privacy reasons, emphasized that bullying played a crucial role in Nex's death. Kane, who identifies as nonbinary, believes that regardless of the exact cause of Nex's passing, the fact remains that they died after experiencing relentless bullying. Kane stated, "What matters is the fact that they died after getting bullied, and that is the story for so many other students."

The incident highlights the long-standing concerns raised by LGBTQ advocates and the medical community regarding the disproportionately high rates of mental health issues faced by queer youths. A recent survey conducted by The Trevor Project revealed that over 40% of LGBTQ individuals aged 13-24 reported seriously considering suicide in the previous year. Trans and nonbinary respondents reported even higher rates. The survey also revealed that 14% of LGBTQ youth attempted suicide within the past year, with 1 in 5 transgender respondents admitting to such attempts.

Following Nex's death, the Department of Education initiated an investigation into whether Owasso High School failed to address sex-based harassment appropriately. The investigation was prompted by a complaint filed by the Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest LGBTQ advocacy group. The school district spokesperson, Brock Crawford, dismissed the investigation, declaring it "without merit" and not supported by the facts.

This tragic incident serves as a devastating reminder of the urgent need to address bullying and support the mental health of LGBTQ youth. If you or someone you know is in crisis, several resources are available, including the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat support on 988lifeline.org. LGBTQ youth in crisis can reach out to the TrevorLifeline at 1-866-488-7386 or the Rainbow Youth Project at 1-317-643-4888 for a safe and non-judgmental space to talk.

As the grieving community mourns the loss of Nex Benedict, their memory continues to fuel the fight for a safer and more inclusive world for all LGBTQ individuals.