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Editor's Note: This story was updated at 4:33 p.m. on March 13 after the medical examiner ruled that Nex Benedict’s manner of death was suicide. Additional resources have been included in this story. This article was updated on Feb. 29 at 9:59 a.m. to reflect the proper spelling of Kateri Daffron's name.

Standing in front of the Seed Sower statue on OU's South Oval, dozens of students and community members gathered Wednesday to march in memory of Nex Benedict, a nonbinary student whose death sparked a nationwide movement for 2SLGBTQ+ rights. 

With 2SLGBTQ+ flags and signs reading "Hate has no home here" and "Your silence will not protect you" in hand, the demonstrators headed north toward Legacy Park before stopping in front of the Cleveland County Courthouse. 

Passing cars honked in support as the group faced the building and chanted for 2SLGBTQ+ rights before continuing to Andrews Park. Nearby, a person stood on the front porch of their home and joined in – "Justice for Nex."

On Feb. 7, Nex Benedict experienced a fight in the women’s restroom at Owasso High School. Benedict was taken to Bailey Medical Center and told an Owasso Police Department officer they had blacked out during the fight, according to body camera footage from the center. In the footage, Sue Benedict, Nex’s mother, said Nex had been assaulted by three girls who bullied them for the past month.

On Feb. 8, Benedict collapsed and was taken to Saint Francis Pediatric Emergency Room, where they later were pronounced dead.

In a statement from Feb. 21, the Owasso Police Department wrote that a preliminary autopsy suggested Benedict did not die due to physical trauma. 

On March 13, the medical examiner released its ruling that the manner of Benedict’s death was suicide. 

At Andrews Park, approximately a hundred people listened as a dozen speakers took the stage in turn to remember Nex and implore those in attendance to fight for 2SLGBTQ+ and Indigenous rights. 

Executive Director of Freedom Oklahoma Nicole McAfee said anti-2SLGBTQ+ legislation in Oklahoma contributes to the harm 2SLGBTQ+ members experience across the state.

This legislative session, the Oklahoma Legislature is considering 54 bills targeting members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, according to the American Civil Liberties Union, which is tracking anti-2SLGBTQ+ bills in 40 states.

While waiting for the marchers to arrive, McAfee said they heard news that two such bills are scheduled to be heard by senate committees Thursday morning. 

Senate Bill 1530, or "Women's Bill of Rights," would require the state and any political subdivision to collect statistics to identify any person in the data collection as either male or female. SB 1530 will be heard in the General Government Senate Committee. 

SB 1677 would prohibit the Department of Human Services from requiring adoptive or foster parents to support government policies regarding sexual orientation or gender identity that conflicts with their moral or religious beliefs. The bill would also prohibit the department from denying adoption or fostering based on a person's beliefs about sexual orientation or gender identity. The Health and Human Services Senate Committee will hear this bill. 

"(This bill) essentially attempts to erase us from the record," McAfee said. "Now, I know that they can't erase us, no more than they can permit us to exist, because (2SLGBTQ+) people have always been here. We will be here long, long after the Legislature's gone."

In response to the national attention Benedict's case has received, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters said there are only two genders, adding Oklahoma public schools would only use students’ pronouns and names assigned at birth. 

At a public forum in Tahlequah, state Sen. Tom Woods (R-Westville), referred to the 2SLGBTQ+ community as “filth.” He said he would fight to ensure Oklahoma keeps 2SLGBTQ+ affairs out of Oklahoma. 

Following the forum, Woods said he stood behind his beliefs, adding the state shouldn’t “normalize behavior that shouldn’t be tolerated.” 

Katie Mihalek with PFLAG Norman, an organization that provides peer support, advocacy and education to 2SLGBTQ+ individuals, said it's important for Oklahomans to contact their legislators and make it clear that they will not support policies that harm the 2SLGBTQ+ community. 

"A tragedy occurs and we all come together, and we have a vigil and we go on a march and then everyone goes home, and that's not working," Mihalek said. "We have to keep going. We have to go to our legislators, we have to go to the polls. You have to vote."

Last week, PFLAG Norman President Jerry Arias-Watson told OU Daily they received a large influx in requests for 2SLGBTQ+ resources, including mental health assistance and suggestions for contacting legislators.

Mihalek said she has participated in similar marches in the past, but that Benedict's story hit particularly close to home.

"I have a 16-year-old," Mihalek said. "My hope is she doesn't have to live this the way that we have had to live this, that hopefully by the time she's 40, she doesn't have to go on these marches anymore."

Marley Hutchins, an Owasso High School graduate, said the school doesn't take cases of bullying seriously, despite the school claiming otherwise. 

"I have lived in Owasso for almost my entire life," Hutchins said. "I can tell you that while we were shocked at such a horrible thing that happened in our community. We were not surprised. We were not surprised because Owasso High School administrators have failed queer students again and again."

Owasso Public Schools issued a statement following Benedict’s death, saying it was cooperating with law enforcement and that they "understand the importance of ensuring a safe and inclusive environment for all students."

"The loss of a student, a member of the Ram Family and the Owasso community, is devastating. We recognize the impact that this event has had on the entire school community and it is our priority to foster an environment where everyone feels heard, supported, and safe," the statement read, adding that Owasso High School will continue to cooperate with the Owasso Police Department’s investigation. 

Kateri Daffron, an OU psychology and pre-med student, helped organize the march. Daffron, a member of the Wichita, Kiowa and Comanche tribes and the American Indian Student Association, said she hopes the grief and anger spawned from Benedict’s death fuels Oklahomans to create change. She said Black, brown and 2SLGBTQ+ individuals are loved by both herself and her community. 

“It's not an Indigenous value to hate and oppress,” Daffron said. “This fight doesn't stop when Nex gets justice, this doesn't stop when Ryan Walters is out of office. We need to continue until we know we have a safe space for our children to love, to learn and to flourish.”

Colin McPherson, chief of staff for the OU College Democrats, encouraged students to continue fighting for 2SLGBTQ+ rights by joining organizations at OU supporting the 2SLGBTQ+ community and voting in the upcoming elections. 

"Right now, we have politicians calling us filth, we have politicians saying that we're something that should be eradicated, that needs to change,” McPherson said. “We're being told that we are just a phase, that we're wrong, that we're incorrect, that we're not natural. But we've been around for thousands of years, how is that not natural?"

McPherson asked those in attendance to not let their action stop with the march for Benedict.

"Don't let your words be the only thing that reflects your feelings. Let your votes and let your actions."

This story was edited by Peggy Dodd and Anusha Fathepure. 

Dozens of OU students and community members marched from the Seed Sower statue to Andrews Park Wednesday in memory of Nex Benedict, a nonbinary student whose death has sparked a nationwide movement for 2SLGBTQ+ rights and bullying awareness.

Here's our best footage from the walkout:

Filmed by Luke Smith

Edited by Luke Smith

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