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President Joe Biden issued a press release on the loss of life of transgender Oklahoma teen Nex Benedict, whose Feb. 8 loss of life, which occurred a day after a combat at Owasso Excessive College, was dominated a suicide Wednesday.
“Jill and I are heartbroken by the latest lack of Nex Benedict,” Biden stated in a press release Thursday. “Each younger particular person deserves to have the basic proper and freedom to be who they’re, and really feel protected and supported in school and of their communities. Nex Benedict, a child who simply needed to be accepted, ought to nonetheless be right here with us right this moment.”
In reminiscence of Nex, Biden stated, “we should all recommit to our work to finish discrimination and tackle the suicide disaster impacting too many nonbinary and transgender youngsters.”
“Bullying is hurtful and merciless, and nobody ought to face the bullying that Nex did,” Biden stated. “Dad and mom and colleges should take reviews of bullying significantly. My prayers are with Nex’s household, buddies, and all who beloved them — and to all LGBTQI+ Individuals for whom this tragedy feels so private, know this: I’ll at all times have your again.”
The president closed his message by telling LGBTQ youth that they will name or textual content 988, the Nationwide Disaster Hotline, and dial the quantity “3” to speak to a counselor who has been particularly skilled to assist LGBTQ youth.
Nex, who was transgender and used he they usually pronouns, in keeping with family and friends, was concerned in a combat at Owasso Excessive College’s West Campus on Feb. 7. Nex informed police three college students “jumped” him after he threw water on them as a result of they have been bullying him and his buddy for the best way they dressed. Sue Benedict, Nex’s mom, informed the Unbiased that Nex had beforehand informed her he was bullied on account of his gender identification.
On Feb. 8, Sue Benedict known as 911 and informed the operator that Nex’s palms have been posturing, which refers to an involuntary motion that may point out irregular mind exercise, in keeping with audio of the 911 name that the Owasso Police Division launched final month. She additionally stated the teenager’s eyes have been rolled at the back of his head and his respiratory was shallow, and she or he anxious that he had a mind damage from the combat in school. Nex was transported to St. Francis Kids’s Hospital and pronounced useless.
The Oklahoma medical expert’s workplace launched a abstract report Wednesday that discovered Nex died by suicide, with a possible reason for loss of life from the “mixed toxicity” of two medication, certainly one of which is out there over-the-counter and the opposite by prescription. The total report will likely be launched March 27, in keeping with the medical expert’s workplace.
Lt. Nick Boatman, a spokesperson for the Owasso Police Division, stated in an e-mail Thursday that the division’s investigation gained’t be concluded till investigators current their findings to the Tulsa County District Lawyer’s Workplace. The district legal professional will then decide what prices, if any, could possibly be filed towards different college students concerned within the combat with Nex.
LGBTQ youth face a disproportionate danger of suicide, in keeping with analysis. A 2022 survey of about 28,000 LGBTQ younger folks carried out by The Trevor Mission, an LGBTQ youth suicide prevention and disaster intervention group, discovered that greater than 40% of respondents ages 13-24 stated they significantly thought-about trying suicide within the earlier 12 months, together with half of trans and nonbinary respondents.
These charges have been increased for respondents in Oklahoma, with 48%, saying they significantly thought-about suicide up to now 12 months, together with 55% of trans and nonbinary youth. Of respondents in Oklahoma, 16% stated they tried suicide up to now 12 months, together with 20% of trans and nonbinary youth.
The Division of Training opened a federal investigation into Owasso Public Faculties earlier this month for allegedly failing to deal with earlier complaints of discrimination from college students. The investigation was opened following a grievance from the Human Rights Marketing campaign, the nation’s largest LGBTQ rights group.
In the event you or somebody you recognize is in disaster, name or textual content 988 to succeed in the Suicide and Disaster Lifeline or chat stay at 988lifeline.org. You can even go to SpeakingOfSuicide.com/sources for added assist.
In case you are an LGBTQ younger particular person in disaster, feeling suicidal or in want of a protected and judgment-free place to speak, name the TrevorLifeline now at 1-866-488-7386 or the Rainbow Youth Mission at 1-317-643-4888.
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