Data from HRC and the University of Connecticut’s 2023 LGBTQ+ Youth Report, detailing findings from a 2022 survey of nearly 13,000 LGBTQ+ youth ages 13-18 nationwide, found that LGBTQ+ youth–and trans and gender-expansive youth in particular–face bullying, harassment, and violence in school at alarming rates. Over half (53.9%) of trans and gender-expansive youth feel unsafe in at least one school setting, with a third (32.8%) reporting they specifically felt unsafe in school restrooms, and half (49.3.%) reporting they felt unsafe in school locker rooms. Two-thirds (62.6%) of trans and gender-expansive youth had been teased or bullied at school at least once in the prior year–over half (55.6%) of whom were teased specifically for their LGBTQ+ identity–and a fifth (20%) had been hit, pushed, or experienced other forms of physical violence at school in just the 30 days prior to the survey. Yet, against this backdrop, schools have largely been unresponsive. Only a quarter of trans youth who were victimized at school were able to report this to a teacher or staff member, and of those who did, half reported that staff helped only a little–or not at all.
Nex’s death also comes at a time when extremist politicians have weaponized trans and gender-expansive identities for political gain, stoking hate and discrimination through their vile rhetoric. Already facing an onslaught of anti-LGBTQ+ state bills which have direct negative implications on their well-being – from educational bans on LGBTQ+ centric content to non-consensual forced outings– young LGBTQ+ folks, especially young trans and gender-expansive people, can potentially face harsh social and public environments largely influenced by a discourse that undermines their lives. Such legislation is also impacting the safety and well-being of other trans and gender-expansive youth like Nex. In an interview with The Independent Nex’s mother noted that Nex had first begun being bullied after Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt signed a bill into law that forbids trans and gender expansive youth to access restrooms consistent with their gender identity. Using data from the same LGBTQ+ Youth study, HRC researchers found that trans and gender-expansive youth who were able to use the bathroom that matches their gender identity more frequently were less likely to screen positive for depression or anxiety, feel unsafe at school, or experience school-based bullying and violence.
Against the backdrop of this wave of anti-trans legislation is a rising threat of online hatred and harassment, which is increasingly leading to terrorism and violence in the “real world.” According to HRC research, prominent anti-LGBTQ+ influencers created over a thousand posts targeting schools, districts, libraries and individuals in 2023, all for being LGBTQ+ inclusive. This dangerous social media targeting has offline consequences, including death threats and bomb threats, protests, political attacks, and harassing educators into resigning. The posts targeted schools and libraries in 40 states and Washington, D.C., with individual posts reaching over a million viewers on X, formerly Twitter.
In 2022, Libs of TikTok targeted a teacher in the Owasso School District, the district Nex attended, for speaking out in support of LGBTQ+ students. According to Nex’s mother, Nex admired the teacher, who faced threats and harassment and ultimately resigned. In September 2023, Libs of TikTok targeted the principal of John Glenn Elementary School in Oklahoma for performing in drag outside school hours. Days later, the school faced a bomb threat. Last month, Oklahoma superintendent of public schools Ryan Walters appointed Chaya Raichik, Libs of TikTok’s founder, to the state’s library advisory committee.
Owasso Public Schools released the following statement regarding Nex’s death:
“The Owasso Police Department has notified district leaders of the death of an Owasso High School student. The student’s name and cause of death have not yet been made public. As this is an active police investigation, we will have no additional comment at this time. Further inquiries should be directed to the Owasso Police Department.”
The Owasso Police Department considers Nex’s death an ongoing investigation and are waiting for the results of the autopsy report to move forward accordingly.
