Biden mourns nonbinary teen who 'just wanted to be accepted'

[Jessica_Rose]

Biden mourns nonbinary teen who 'just wanted to be accepted'

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/biden-mourns-nonbinary-teen-who-just-wanted-to-be-accepted/ar-BB1jUDhs?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=ed977428cd174b01b1343ccb610cc072&ei=72

Story by AFP (14 March 2024)

US President Joe Biden called for an end to discrimination Thursday after an autopsy found a nonbinary teenager died by suicide a day after clashing with three other students.

The case of Nex Benedict, 16, from Oklahoma, had drawn widespread outrage and calls for change in the way trans and nonbinary people are treated.

"Nex Benedict, a kid who just wanted to be accepted, should still be here with us today," Biden said in a statement, adding that he and First Lady Jill Biden were "heartbroken" by the teen's death on February 8.

"Nonbinary and transgender people are some of the bravest Americans I know. But nobody should have to be brave just to be themselves."

Democrat Biden called for work to end discrimination and to address the "suicide crisis impacting too many nonbinary and transgender children."

"Bullying is hurtful and cruel, and no one should face the bullying that Nex did," he said.