By The opinion
Mar 18, 2024, 09:10 AM EDT
Oklahoma student Nex Benedict’s death ruled a suicideaccording to a forensic medical report, but his case has triggered alerts about the consequences of bullying in schools.
The 16-year-old was transgender and died on February 8a day after a fight at Owasso High School in Oklahoma.
Nex had told his mother, Sue, that he was a victim of harassment at school because of his gender identity and had a confrontation with three students on whom he threw water, in response to one of those days of harassment because of the way he dressed.
Nex’s statements were recorded on a body camera that Owasso police shared, where the young man is seen on a hospital bed.
Although the student’s death was ruled a suicide, The police clarified that it was not ruled out that the fight had contributed to or caused his death..
The medical examiner’s report did not make a direct link between the beatings and Nex’s death, but lists “combined toxicity” from two medications as the probable cause of death.
The reaction of the White House
President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Mourned Nex’s Death and expressed being “heartbroken” by the events.
White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre stressed that Nex’s death was a consequence of bullying and recalled that there are federal programs to help young people who face bullying and depression.
“I want to address a heartbreaking event in the tragic loss of Nex Benedict. “For parents across the country, and I know for many of you here and some of you watching, many of you watching, including me, it was devastating to learn the cause of Nex’s death,” Jean-Pierre said.
The spokesperson paraphrased President Biden’s first reaction that Every young person “deserves the fundamental right and freedom to be who they are.” and feel safe and supported at school and in their communities.”
Therefore, Jean-Pierre said, the harassment was completely unacceptable.
“And it is everyone’s business: it is up to all of us to take complaints of harassment seriously,” he said. “The president and his administration launched line 988 to help. And we have a line dedicated to serving LGBTQI+ young people that can be reached by dialing 988 and pressing 3.”
Members of LGBTQI+ organizations accuse that Nex’s case is largely due to state legislation on sexual orientation and gender identity.