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GREENWOOD Dist. — GLAAD, an organization advocating for LGBTQ+ rights, has issued a strong response following the announcement by the Tulsa DA that no charges will be filed in the case of Nex Benedict, a 16-year-old Indigenous and 2STGNC+ (Two Spirit, transgender, gender-nonconforming+) student. The statement comes from Sarah Kate Ellis, President & CEO of GLAAD, who criticized the handling of the case by authorities in Oklahoma.
Ellis expressed disappointment in the lack of action taken by Oklahoma leaders, including Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters, Owasso High School, where Benedict was a student, and local law enforcement agencies.
GLAAD President Calls for Investigation
“It is critical that an independent investigation is completed and the truth about what happened to Nex, and what all marginalized youth in Oklahoma schools endure, is brought to light. We will never stop seeking justice for Nex and we will never stop holding leaders accountable to serving their communities fairly and with compassion,” Sarah Kate Ellis, President & CEO of GLAAD, says.
Tulsa DA Stephen Kunzweiler’s decision not to press charges was met with further criticism. GLAAD points out several errors in Kunzweiler’s statement, including his use of Nex’s deadname, incomplete information regarding Nex’s cause of death, and premature conclusions drawn from the investigation.
In a press release shared with The Black Wall Street Times, GLAAD highlighted the disrespectful nature of using a person’s discarded name without permission, emphasizing the importance of respecting transgender, nonbinary, and gender-nonconforming individuals’ authentic identities.
GLAAD Condemns Tulsa DA’s Handling of School Bathroom Fight Investigation
“Based upon the investigation of the Owasso Police Department, I am in the agreement with their assessment that the filing of juvenile charges is not warranted,” Kunzweiler said in Thursday’s press release. “From all the evidence gathered, this fight was an instance of mutual combat. I do not have a reasonable belief that the State of Oklahoma could sustain its burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt if charges were presented for prosecution.”
Additionally, GLAAD condemns Kunzweiler’s description of the school bathroom fight as “mutual combat,” asserting that it was not mutual when one person was outnumbered and rendered unconscious. They stressed that violence, fights, bullying, and harassment are never justified, and called for accountability from public officials in protecting vulnerable youth.
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They also criticized the Tulsa DA’s reliance on incomplete information and his rush to conclude the investigation without considering all the facts.
In conclusion, GLAAD reiterated their commitment to seeking justice for Nex Benedict and holding leaders accountable for serving their communities with fairness and compassion. They emphasized the importance of upholding values of safety, justice, and human life, especially for marginalized individuals in society.