An Oklahoma state senator is facing criticism for reportedly calling LGBTQ people “filth” following the sudden death of a 16-year-old non-binary student a day after being assaulted at school.
“I represent a district in Oklahoma that doesn’t want filth,” Sen. Tom Woods (R-Westville) can be heard saying during a congressional debate. According to an audio recording by the Tahlequah Daily Press..
Audience member Kathy Cott asked Woods and other council members a question related to Superintendent Ryan Walters’ policies regarding LGBTQ issues in schools. She also claimed that lawmakers are “obsessed with Oklahoma’s LGBTQ residents.”
Mr. Woods responded: “We have a Republican supermajority in the House and Senate. I represent a district in Oklahoma that doesn’t want that kind of filth.”
A small round of applause could be heard after Woods’ comments.
After panelists answered only the first part of Cott’s question, Cott called for action on “50 bills targeting Oklahoma’s LGBTQ community,” pointing to the death of 16-year-old Nex Benedict. did.
Family members said Benedict, who identified as non-binary, died on February 8, a day after an argument that may have been sparked by bullying over his gender identity, his mother said.
The cause of Benedict’s death has not been determined, but police said a preliminary report indicates that Benedict’s death did not result from assault-related injuries.
Woods later said he was “heartbroken” by the boy’s death.
