Dozens of students from Owasso High School in Oklahoma staged a walkout on Monday to protest what they perceive as unchecked bullying and demand action against the hostile environment they say led to the death of a fellow student.
The walkout, consisting of at least 40 students, came in the wake of the passing of Nex Benedict, a 16-year-old transgender student who died on February 8, a day after an altercation at the school.
Students Demand Action: Frustration Over Bullying Response
Students participating in the walkout expressed frustration with what they perceived as an inadequate response to bullying by school officials. Despite reporting instances of bullying, they expressed frustration over the perceived lack of meaningful action or change.
Kane, one of the organizers of the walkout, emphasized that regardless of the cause of Nex's passing, what matters is that they died after enduring bullying.
"There's been bullying issues. This time, the bullying has gone so far that a student has passed," Kane told NBC News. "To me, it doesn't matter if Nex passed from a traumatic brain injury or if they passed from suicide. What matters is the fact that they died after getting bullied, and that is the story for so many other students."
Ally, another student, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the sense of futility in reporting bullying to authorities
"Even if something did happen, there's no point in going to any kind of administration or teachers about it because absolutely nothing will be done," Ally told the news outlet. "And I've seen it time and time again with my friends."
The school's response to the walkout was addressed in a letter to students, acknowledging their right to demonstrate while also warning of potential absences from classes without written parental permission.
The school emphasized its commitment to providing support to students, with counselors available to speak with those in need.
Tragic Incident Sparks LGBTQ Advocacy
On February 7, Benedict engaged in a fight with three older girls at Owasso High School after being bullied over clothing.
As revealed by newly released body camera footage from the Owasso Police Department, Benedict explained that he and a friend faced bullying over their clothes.
Subsequently, Benedict described how he reacted by throwing water at the students who were making disparaging remarks. This action led to him being attacked in the girls' bathroom.
Benedict collapsed at home and died the next day, prompting speculation about the cause of death.
According to Sue Benedict, Nex's mother, in an interview with The Independent, Nex confided in her about facing bullying related to their gender identity.
The tragic incident has sparked broader conversations about LGBTQ+ rights and protections in Oklahoma and beyond. The Human Rights Campaign has called for federal investigations into whether protections for LGBTQ students were violated in Nex Benedict's case.
Meanwhile, ongoing legislative efforts in Oklahoma, including the consideration of over 50 anti-LGBTQ bills, have drawn criticism for exacerbating discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community.
As the investigation into Nex Benedict's death continues, students and advocates remain steadfast in their demand for accountability and action to address the systemic issues of bullying and discrimination within schools.
