The Department of Education announced Friday that it will launch an investigation into the death of 16-year-old Oklahoma high school student Nex Benedict, who was accused of bullying after an altercation in the girls’ restroom at her school. She struggled with her gender identity for months.
Department of Civil Rights Bureau notified The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) investigation said it was launched in response to a letter from LGBTQ rights groups that said Owasso Public Schools, Nex’s school district, did not adequately respond to sexual harassment. This contributed to Nex’s death.
HRC President Kelly Robinson called for a federal investigation into the boy’s death. by letter It was sent to Attorney General Merrick Garland and Education Secretary Miguel Cardona on February 21.
“We are deeply concerned about Owasso High School’s failure to address documented instances of bullying, violence, and harassment against Nex. These acts occurred in earnest throughout the last school year and are subject to Act 9. Nex’s rights under the Education Amendments Act of 1972,” Robinson wrote in a letter to Cardona.
“Therefore, we call on the Department to urgently investigate whether Owasso High School unlawfully addressed the discrimination and harassment suffered by Nex,” she continued. “Additionally, we call on the Department to conduct a Title IX compliance investigation into Owasso High School.”
The organization’s calls for a federal investigation were reinforced by key LGBTQ figures and members of Congress, including Congressman Ritchie Torres of New York.
Important details regarding Nex’s death and identity are still unknown. Nex’s mother, Sue Benedict, said: independent person Nex “didn’t see themselves as either male or female. Nex felt they were right in the middle.”
A friend of Nex said NBC News Last week, Nex was transgender and was primarily referred to by he/him pronouns at school, but also used they/them pronouns.
Police investigation is still ongoing. Local authorities said last week that they had not ruled out the fight as a cause of Nex’s death.
The case puts a spotlight on Oklahoma, which currently leads the nation in anti-LGBTQ bills introduced this year. According to the ACLU. Following initial reports of Nex’s death, advocacy groups and lawmakers said hateful rhetoric and laws targeting LGBTQ individuals were to blame.
The tragedy has also brought national attention to Oklahoma schools and state education officials.
More than 350 LGBTQ and civil rights organizations, including HRC, this week called for the firing of Ryan Walters, the state’s superintendent of public instruction who has espoused anti-LGBTQ views. In January, Walters appointed Chaya Lajczyk, a pro-lib conservative activist on TikTok whose posts often target LGBTQ people, to the state library’s advisory board.
Nex’s former high school teacher resigned last year after being featured in one of Laichik’s posts. Sue Benedict told The Independent that Nex was upset by the resignation of a teacher who was targeted for affirming LGBTQ students.
“Nex’s family, community, and the broader 2SLGBTQI+ (two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex+) community in Oklahoma are still in mourning in the wake of their tragic deaths. I’m waiting for answers,” Robinson said Friday. in a statement.
“We are grateful that the Department of Education responded to our complaint and opened an investigation. We hope that Nex will receive justice and that all students at Owasso High School and all Oklahoma schools will be protected from bullying. “The Department of Education needs to take immediate action. This is harassment and discrimination,” she added.
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