Dear Friend,

We are reaching out today with a sense of urgency. Tomorrow is Super Tuesday, and as many of us head to the polls, we are reminded that state and local elections are critical to the livelihoods of LGBTQ people. A State Superintendent, for example, is entrusted with creating a safe learning environment for all students. That is why we are calling on all supporters to take action today and demand that the Oklahoma Legislature immediately remove Ryan Walters from his position as Oklahoma State Superintendent.

Nex Benedict, a 16-year old 2STGNC+ (Two-Spirit, transgender, and gender non-conforming+) student of Choctaw descent, tragically lost their life the day after a brutal assault in their high school bathroom. Nex reported experiencing bullying and harassment at school for over a year.

Superintendent Ryan Walters fostered a culture of violence and hate against LGBTQ students. Just last month he passed an emergency rule to prevent an Oklahoma teen, who was fearful of being bullied, from changing his gender on school files. Walters also called for the firing of a principal simply because performed in drag on weekends, leading to violent threats against the educator, and he is known to empower other anti-LGBTQ extremists to harass and bully students.

It has never been more clear that laws and hateful rhetoric targeting LGBTQ youth make every student unsafe. This senseless act of violence has shaken our community and has highlighted the urgent need for accountability and change within our education and political systems. No students should ever have to fear for their safety or face discrimination simply because of who they are.

We are asking for your support in this crucial fight for justice. By adding your name to our petition and sharing it with your network, you will be joining us in demanding that the Oklahoma Department of Education take accountability for their failures in creating a safe learning environment for students.

Thank you for standing with us in this important fight. Together, we can honor Nex’s memory by creating a safer and more inclusive environment for all students.