We at the Matthew Shepard Foundation are devastated by the loss of 16-year-old Nex Benedict, a non-binary student from Owasso, Oklahoma, who died after being attacked by other students at their school. We join in the community’s plea for answers and call on local law enforcement and the FBI to proceed swiftly with this active investigation.

Knowing all too well the pain of losing a child to senseless and discriminatory violence, Judy and Dennis Shepard are not only dismayed by the school’s failures in this case, but also the weaponizing of identity politics in the Oklahoma state legislature.

“We know that our LGBTQ+ youth face bullying, harassment, and violence on a regular basis, but it is critical that we call out the hateful rhetoric that fuels these attacks,” said Judy Shepard. “How can anyone, especially a young person, grow and thrive when those elected to protect our rights as citizens are using every opportunity to actively dehumanize them?”

Matt’s murder in Laramie, Wyoming in 1998 became a watershed moment for the country, changing the way we talk about and deal with hate in America. And as Wyoming remains one of only four states without a hate crime law, Oklahoma’s hate crime law lacks protections for sexual orientation and/or gender identity. The Matthew Shepard Foundation continues to work to strengthen hate crime laws across the country, partnering with local community-based policy organizations, like Wyoming Equality.

Wyoming Equality director, Sara Burlingame, joins the Matthew Shepard Foundation in grieving for the family of Nex. “In Wyoming we feel keenly the panic our community feels when we are targeted and harassed. In Wyoming, we know the deep grief that accompanies the murder of a vulnerable youth. We send strength to those pushing for change in Oklahoma.”

Wyoming Equality, whose mission is focused on “building broad and inclusive communities, shifting the hearts and minds of our neighbors, and achieving policy victories,” is currently tracking over 20 LGBTQ specific discriminatory bills and budget amendments in the 2024 Wyoming legislative session. Their work is necessary in order to block the types of anti-trans bills passed in Oklahoma over the past several years, including a ban on gender-affirming health care for people under the age of 18 and a bill that prevents transgender youth from accessing restroom facilities consistent with their gender identity.

“It’s our belief that every student should have a safe and affirming environment to learn,” said Burlingame. “Similar to the work of Freedom Oklahoma, we are in a constant battle against an onslaught of anti-LGBTQ legislative attacks meant to undermine the lives of gender expansive folks. Nex’s lived experience and untimely death highlights the disastrous real-world impact of these harmful policies.”

The Matthew Shepard Foundation and Wyoming Equality call on our supporters across the country to stand up to bullying legislation, hate speech, and the dehumanization of LGBTQ+ youth. Commit to honor the life of Nex and other transgender and gender-expansive people who’ve had their lives taken through violent means. Honor them with action: speak out and erase hate today!