OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — Organizers from across the country joined forces Thursday afternoon on the steps of Oklahoma’s state capitol. The march for Nex Benedict took place the day after authorities released the cause of death for 16-year-old Owasso High School student.
Initially, it was reported that Benedict’s cause of death was not a result of any head trauma that they might have sustained during an altercation in the school’s bathroom the day prior. The toxicology report released on Wednesday revealed that there was a combined toxicity of two medications, Diphenhydramine and Fluoxetine. Benedict’s death has been officially declared as suicide.
“No matter how you say somebody dies, bullying is not acceptable,” Bryan Paddock from Rural Oklahoma Pride said as he addressed the crowd. “Words matter, they can be damaging, they can destroy somebody and make them question themselves.”
Students from Classen School for Advanced Studies walked out in protest to join the march for Nex Benedict. As they approached the capitol steps, they chanted, “Trans lives matter.” One of those students spoke during the march saying, “We are children, and being trans does not [nullify] that. We deserve the right to be children in peace.”
Restrictive Laws and Policies Targeting LGBTQIA+ Youth
Oklahoma has several laws that restrict the lives of transgender youth. In 2022, Governor Kevin Stitt signed SB 615 into law. It requires students to use the bathroom that correlates to their assigned sex at birth. Also in effect is a law that restricts gender-affirming care for minors. This includes hormone replacement therapy and puberty blockers.
Nicole Poindexter from the Human Rights Campaign who was also present at the Oklahoma City vigil for Benedict spoke at today’s protest. Like the parents of many trans and gender non-conforming youth, she decided to relocate from Oklahoma to protect the safety of her child. Poindexter shared a petition calling for the removal of State Superintendent Ryan Walters.
Several groups present at the march criticized Walters for his anti-LGBTQIA+ rhetoric. He has called the death of Benedict tragic but says that “LGBT groups pushing false narratives are one of the biggest threats to our democracy.”
Recently, Walters appointed Chaya Raichik to a library advisory committee. Raichik, who runs the social media account “Libs of TikTok” was called out by Chasten Buttigieg, the husband of Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg. He posted on X (Twitter) saying, “As a parent and former teacher, I want qualified people involved in education. This is actually quite simple. Chaya isn’t qualified for her appointed government position.” Walters came to Raichik’s defense saying, “Well [Raichik] knows the difference between a girl and a boy. You, your husband, and the entire Biden administration seem to struggle with that.”
Related Stories
Rise in Hotline Calls
Lance Preston from the Rainbow Youth Project, traveled from Indiana to speak at the march for Nex Benedict. RYP is a national nonprofit that offers crisis and suicide intervention for LGBTQIA+ youth. “It’s likely that someone in this crowd has talked to one of our team members recently,” Preston stated.
During February, the hotline received 1,090 crisis calls from Oklahoma. Preston continued, “87% of those calls reported instances of bullying in schools all across the state.” The Centers for Disease Control warns that bullying can result in physical harm, emotional distress, self-harm, and death.
“We don’t want to lose another kid,” Preston exclaimed to the crowd. “We will do anything in our power, we will be here with you until we’re not needed, no matter how long that is.”
Near the end of the rally Rep. Mauree Turner, the state’s first and only non-binary representative, joined the list of speakers. “I can’t stress enough that our liberation will not come from policy in this building.” Turner continued, “I think so many of us probably see ourselves in Nex.”
Medical Examiner’s Report
On Wednesday, authorities released the medical examiner’s report detailing Benedict’s cause of death. Toxicology determined that the probable cause of Benedict’s death was a combination of Diphenhydramine and Fluoxetine. The common names for these drugs are Benadryl and Prozac.
Doctors prescribe Prozac, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and panic disorders. There is risk of a moderate interaction when combining the two medications which can result in increased dizziness, confusion, and drowsiness.
Authorities have officially declared Benedict’s death a suicide. The Owasso Police Department released the following statement.
“From the beginning of this investigation, Owasso Police observed many indications that this death was the result of suicide. However, investigators did not wish to confirm that information without the final results being presented by the Oklahoma Medical Examiner’s Office. The Oklahoma Medical Examiner’s report has now been made public. See Oklahoma Medical Examiner’s report for Cause of Death and means. The Owasso Police Department would like to take this moment to inform anyone in crisis or contemplating suicide of the Oklahoma Mental Health Lifeline, just call or text 988.”
The Owasso Police Department via Facebook.
President Biden released a statement Thursday afternoon regarding the toxicology results. “Nonbinary and transgender people are some of the bravest Americans I know. But nobody should have to be brave just to be themselves.” The statement continues, “In memory of Nex, we must all recommit to our work to end discrimination and address the suicide crisis impacting too many nonbinary and transgender children.”
To seek mental health support, call Trans Lifeline at 877-565-8860, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678-678, or call the LGBT Hotline at 888-843-4564.