"Justice for Nex Benedict: Investigating the Tragic Death of a Nonbinary Teen"
Nex Benedict, a 16-year-old non-binary high school student, tragically died after being brutally beaten at Owasso High School in Oklahoma. The school failed to report the incident to authorities, and Nex's death highlights the alarming rates of bullying and violence faced by LGBTQ+ youth, particularly trans and gender-expansive individuals. Extremist anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and discriminatory legislation have contributed to a hostile environment for these students, leading to devastating consequences. Misgendering and disrespectful treatment of trans and gender-expansive individuals by the media and law enforcement further exacerbate anti-trans stigma. Advocates are calling for better protection, support, and respect for the trans and gender-expansive community, as well as the rejection of harmful anti-transgender legislation at all levels.