OKLAHOMA CITY — Less than 24 hours after the release of the full autopsy, State Superintendent Ryan Walters characterized the death of an Owasso nonbinary student as a tragedy that was used by a left-wing mob to promote an agenda.
During his opening remarks at Thursday’s Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting, Walters said he was “heartbroken” for the loss and would be praying for those impacted by the death, but he did not say Nex Benedict’s name. He also said a “woke, left-wing mob” used the teenager’s death to make outrageous claims.
The Owasso High School sophomore, who identified as nonbinary and preferred masculine or gender-neutral pronouns, died Feb. 8, one day after a fight in a school restroom.
“I will never back down to a left wing mob,” he said, drawing derisive laughter from meeting attendees. “I will never lie to our students or allow a radical agenda to be forced on them.”
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The Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner released Benedict’s full autopsy and toxicology report Wednesday. The autopsy report cites suicide as the cause of death due to combined toxicity of drugs commonly known as Prozac and Benadryl.
The medical examiner’s report referenced nonlethal injuries sustained in the fight, as well as Benedict’s previous medical history, including bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, self-harm (cutting), and chronic tobacco and marijuana abuse.
Walters’ remarks were referenced during the public comment period by multiple commenters who expressed frustration and fear for the safety of LGBTQ+ students. Earlier this month, the Oklahoma Legislature received a letter signed by more than 350 individuals, civil rights groups and LGBTQ+ advocacy groups calling for an investigation into both Walters and the state agency he leads.
“I’m not a woke mob,” Jakob Lavicky said. “I’m queer and nonbinary. I’m born and raised in Oklahoma. I care so much about the people in this state.”
Citing gender-based bullying, Lavicky also called on the Oklahoma State Department of Education to launch a House Bill 1775 investigation into Benedict’s death. Owasso Public Schools is currently under investigation by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights.
Adopted in 2021, House Bill 1775 bans teaching that one race or gender is inherently superior. It also prohibits causing a student to feel guilty or uncomfortable because of their race or gender, as well as teaching that anyone is inherently racist, sexist or oppressive, whether consciously or otherwise.
“I don’t want people who look like me and identify like me to die,” Lavicky said.
Those concerns were echoed by state Rep. Mauree Turner. The only nonbinary member of the Oklahoma Legislature, Turner said they frequently hear from students across Oklahoma but that many of the letters and emails recently sent to their office had expressed fear and frustration.
“Serving our youth is one of the highest privileges anyone can hold,” Turner said. “To shame not only the title of an elected position but also the youth and families of Oklahoma you serve can’t help you sleep better at night. Please think about how we are watching a genocide take place.”
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