In the wake of the tragic death of 16-year-old Nex Benedict, a nonbinary student, who died by suicide just a day after a fight inside an Oklahoma high school bathroom, there has been a wave of national outrage and condemnation. The White House has also addressed the incident, expressing condolences and emphasizing the need for a safe and supportive school environment for all students.

According to the Owasso police, the investigation into Benedict's death on February 8 is still ongoing, but the state medical examiner's office has ruled it a suicide. Family members have shared that their child was a victim of bullying at the school due to Nex's identification as nonbinary, neither male nor female. A comprehensive report on the circumstances of Benedict's death is scheduled to be released on March 27.

At the White House press briefing, Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre addressed the preliminary autopsy report, describing Benedict's death as "devastating." She echoed President Biden's sentiment that every young person deserves the right to be who they are and feel safe and supported in their communities and schools. Jean-Pierre emphasized that bullying is unacceptable and urged everyone to take reports of bullying seriously.

The Benedict family, through their attorney, released a statement emphasizing that while their child's death was ruled a suicide, there are other important elements of the report that should not be overshadowed. They highlighted details such as non-lethal head and neck trauma, including contusions, lacerations, and abrasions. A chest abrasion consistent with CPR was also mentioned in the family's summary of the medical examiner's report.

In their statement, the family called for schools, administrators, lawmakers, and communities to work together to prevent similar tragedies. They emphasized the need for reforms that promote respect, inclusion, and the elimination of bullying and hate. The Benedict family hopes that by sharing their child's story, meaningful change can be achieved.

Advocates for LGBTQ+ rights have attributed Benedict's death to gender identity-based bullying and harassment, as well as the policies and rhetoric advanced by Republicans in Oklahoma. They specifically pointed to legislation that prohibits children from accessing cross-sex hormone therapy or sex-reassignment surgery. Some advocates have demanded the resignation of Ryan Walters, Oklahoma's superintendent of public instruction, who has made controversial statements denying the validity of nonbinary identities.

Freedom Oklahoma, the state's largest LGBTQ+ advocacy group, released a statement in February, asserting that regardless of the exact cause of Benedict's death, it is a result of the physical and emotional harm endured due to their identity. The organization blamed the prevailing rhetoric and policies in Oklahoma for contributing to an environment of dehumanization.

Walters, however, dismissed these allegations, labeling them as attempts to exploit a tragedy for political gain. He maintained that Benedict's death was not directly related to the school fight and criticized the politicization of the incident.

The recently released Oklahoma Medical Examiner's report states that Benedict died from a combined overdose of Prozac and Benadryl. The fight in the school bathroom occurred on the previous day. Video footage from the hospital captured Nex recounting the events, describing how they were ridiculed by other students for their appearance before the altercation ensued.

As the investigation into this heartbreaking incident continues, it serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by LGBTQ+ students in schools across the country. The calls for reform and increased support for these students are growing louder, and it is crucial that action is taken to create safe and inclusive environments for all.