WASHINGTON D.C. - March 1st, 2024 -The College Democrats of America (CDA), CDA Equality Caucus, College Democrats of Oklahoma (CDOK), and CDOK Stonewall Caucus are devastated by the passing of Nex Benedict. Benedict, a 16-year-old student and non-binary descendant of the Choctaw Nation, was assaulted in their high school bathroom after experiencing bullying related to their gender identity for over a year. Following the attack by three of their peers, Benedict was taken to the hospital, released to go home, and passed a day later. While details related to the official cause of death have not been released, the epidemic of intolerance that plagues our nation is correlated. Elected officials in Oklahoma and throughout the nation have consistently spread inflammatory rhetoric and sponsored anti-2SLGBTQIA+ legislation. The College Democrats firmly believe that this contributes to the high assault and suicide rate that impacts queer youth throughout the United States, especially in the State of Oklahoma.

To end this epidemic of intolerance, the College Democrats urge that the proper elected officials:

1. Impeach Ryan Walters from the office of Oklahoma State Superintendent of Public Instruction

2. Remove Chaya Raichik from her position as the Oklahoma Library Media Advisor to the Oklahoma Department of Education

3. Reinstate and protect diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in Oklahoma State Departments

4. Ensure the Owasso Public School District is thoroughly and properly investigated based on the accounts of former and current students regarding this and other issues

5. Increase federal enforcement of civil rights protections and expand investigations into anti-2SLGBTQIA+ discrimination complaints. Request additional civil rights enforcement funding from Congress for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Civil Rights Division at the Department of Justice, and individual civil rights departments and agencies to expedite the process and improve enforcement.

6. Include 2SLGBTQIA+ people in affirmative civil rights testing for discrimination, e.g. proactively calling public services, contracted businesses, shelters, etc., to test for discriminatory policies.

7. Issue clear policies of nondiscrimination for all federal programs, including new comprehensive guidance on nondiscrimination and privacy rights for 2SLGBTQIA+ students under Title IX, FERPA, the Equal Access Act, and other relevant laws.

College Democrats of America is the official student arm of the Democratic National Committee.

We strive to advocate for Democratic values on college campuses across

the country. We provide the necessary tools to both give college students a voice in the

political process and to amplify the voice of the next generation of progressive

activists. We are passionate college students dedicated to electing Democrats up and

down the ballot through positive messaging, campaigning, and activism.