Kierra Johnson responds to Nex Benedict suicide ruling
Kierra Johnson, executive director of the National LGBTQ Task Force Kierra Johnson, executive director of the National LGBTQ Task Force, this morning (Thursday, March 15) issued the following statement in response to yesterday’s reports that the Oklahoma State Medical Examiner has ruled Nex Benedict’s death a suicide by overdose: “The death of Nex Benedict and reports that Nex took their own life continue to break our hearts, frustrate us, and anger us — this also moves us to action.
Every system that should have protected Nex and supported their education and safety did not do their jobs. In the current climate, we know that Nex is not alone, as we continue to see attacks on trans and non-binary people, especially our young people. “As a community, we grieve with and support those who knew and loved Nex in Owasso, the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, and all those fighting transphobia and hate.
This culture of hostility and bullying of trans and non-binary youth must be addressed by the institutions that are in a position to do so.
It is not simply wrong to allow this climate to thrive, and it is directly responsible for so much pain, suffering, and the loss of far too many young lives. “I deeply empathize with those most deeply impacted by the loss of Nex.
