Percy Bartelt, opinions editor
Transphobia. The hate that has been fuel to many fires over the course of the world’s entire history. What happened on Feb. 7 was no exception. I extend my condolences to 16-year-old Nex Benedict’s family and friends, and to those who see themselves, who fear for themselves and who can relate to their passing on Feb. 8. They are not the only ones, and sadly their story is not unique, but every single one of them is just as heartbreaking as the next. It pains me to see someone from my community leave this Earth so soon. They were only 16 years old…
Before I proceed I would like to provide a warning as I don’t want to exacerbate the remembrance of hate-fueled violence, but it is also a reality that we must all look to to inspire change. To inspire things that need to be done.
Nex Benedict was a 16-year-old, Two-Spirit, non-binary student from Oklahoma. They loved nature, drawing and reading. Their favorite show was “The Walking Dead,” and they loved to play “Minecraft.” All things that teenagers should be doing to enjoy life. I can’t state this enough, and it might be obvious, but their death could have easily been prevented. On Feb. 7, both Benedict and their best friend were attacked in the bathroom by a group of older students that had been bullying the two for a while now. The two were forced to go about their day following their vicious attack up until they left for home. Immediately Benedict’s mother took them to the hospital where they were treated for severe head trauma, but was later released back home that night. It wasn’t until the next day after having a medical episode and being rushed back to the hospital that Benedict tragically passed away. It makes me beyond furious just recounting these events, my heart hurts for their passing — and again my condolences to all affected by this.
Prior to these events, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt signed a bill into law that forbids transgender youth from using the bathroom that fits their identity. A bill forbidding trans people from taking a piss just to make cis people comfortable which in turn makes trans people uncomfortable. I don’t care about your cis tears, I’m just there to use the bathroom.
Because of this bill being signed into law, Nex Benedict was mercilessly bullied and guess what? The school did nothing. The most shocking thing to me as well was that after they were beaten in the bathroom, they were suspended from school for two weeks! Make that make sense!
Nex attended a school that didn’t care about them or their identity — there was even a teacher that forcibly resigned after showing LGBTQIA+ support in the classroom — the school did nothing after they were attacked and the entire state of Oklahoma passed bills that prevented them from living the life they deserved. They deserved to live.
All of the anti-trans legislation that has been going around — over 400 bills are going through state governments JUST in 2024 — has the same fragile cisgender perspective at the forefront. They don’t understand us so they put us down and use Christianity as their bow and legislation as its arrows. Hell, sometimes the arrows are on fire, I swear to god. But I say to you: this isn’t about the bathrooms. This is about extermination. Silencing. Demonization. “Eradication of Transgenderism,” said by Michael Knowles as written in a New Republic article. “Transgender Insanity,” said by Donald Trump according to AP News. “Mutants from another planet,” said Rep. Webster Barnaby as is reported by ABC News. So, this really isn’t about the bathrooms and it never has been.