"Controversy and Mourning: Nonbinary Student's Tragic Death Sparks Outcry and Investigation"

Trans and queer youth express hurt, anger, and fear following the death of Nex Benedict, a gender nonbinary teen in Oklahoma who died after a physical altercation at school. The circumstances around Nex's death are under investigation, and their passing has sparked outrage from politicians and LGBTQ activists, who blame it on Oklahoma's policies regarding transgender and nonbinary students. Several nonbinary, queer, and gender-nonconforming American teens share their own experiences of feeling unsafe and unsupported in school environments, highlighting the toll it takes on their mental and physical health. Despite the attention on Nex's story, trans teens express uncertainty about the future and a desire to be accepted for who they are without facing hate and discrimination.