Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.) has called for a federal investigation into the recent death of a nonbinary Oklahoma high school student, Nex Benedict. This request comes amid a backdrop of controversy involving Oklahoma State Senator Tom Woods, who, in response to a question about Benedict's death, referred to LGBTQ people as 'filth' that do not belong in Oklahoma. The White House stated that it is up to the Justice Department to decide if the student's death should be investigated as a hate crime. The incident has sparked widespread condemnation, with critics accusing Woods of bigotry and dehumanization. This case has highlighted the ongoing harm and discrimination faced by LGBTQ individuals in Oklahoma.
Oklahoma State Senator Calls LGBTQ People ‘Filth’ https://t.co/MGv9xQFI4v
An Oklahoma state senator said during a public forum that LGBTQ+ people are “filth,” and that he and his constituents don’t want them in “our state" https://t.co/TQ3yMrEiz2
State Senator Accused of Calling LGBTQ Community 'Filth' During a Public Forum https://t.co/44gBT4gNTY
Watch the full interview: https://t.co/nO144H5gKQ And read my story on the immense harm LGBTQ people in the state of Oklahoma are experiencing right now: https://t.co/LiueGLEPoH https://t.co/zkLO9FNOaf
He did not. He was asked why he supported allegedly 'anti-LGBTQ' laws, laws that keep sexually explicit materials out of schools, for ex. “I represent a constituency that doesn’t want that filth in Oklahoma.” You can criticize his overreaching religious views without lying... https://t.co/ORm6f7qYGG
A child is dead and Oklahoma elected officials respond by saying they “don’t want that filth in our state.” This dehumanization - in the form of bigoted rhetoric and deeply dangerous policies - will only jeopardize more lives. #NexBenedict https://t.co/SjS8XLTnch
1. "A state senator from eastern Oklahoma called LGBTQ+ people 'filth' when asked about the death of Nex Benedict."
Oklahoma State Senator Tom Woods said that LGBTQ people are "filth" that don't belong in Oklahoma. This comes in response to a question about Nex Benedict's death. https://t.co/8YueThJ6X4
White House: Justice Dept has to decide if Oklahoma student death should be investigated as hate crime. #CGTNAmerica
Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.) calls for federal investigation into recent death of nonbinary Oklahoma high school student https://t.co/SskrcBFuI0 https://t.co/yXx1YSNAly