An Oklahoma state Senator is facing criticism after he reportedly referred to LGBTQ people as “filth” following the unexpected death of a 16-year-old nonbinary student a day after being beaten up at school.
“I represent a constituency that doesn’t want that filth in Oklahoma,” Sen. Tom Woods, R-Westville, can be heard saying during a legislative forum when asked about the death of nonbinary teen Nex Benedict and legislation allegedly targeting the LGBTQ+ community, according to audio recorded by the Tahlequah Daily Press.
Audience member Cathy Cott asked Woods and other lawmakers questions related to Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters’ policy on LGBTQ issues in schools. She also claimed lawmakers have “an obsession with the LGBTQ citizens of Oklahoma.”,” and demanded they address the “50 bills targeting the LGBTQ community in the state of Oklahoma,” and pointed to Benedict’s Feb. 8 death.
Benedictdied a day after getting into a fight that might have been sparked by bullying about their gender identity, their mother said. A cause of death has not been established, though police said a preliminary report indicated it was not a result of injuries from the assault.
“My heart goes out to that scenario, if that is the case,” Woods began responding before quickly turning to refer to LGTBQ people as “filth.”
4 Oklahoma state Sen. Tom Woods has come under fire after calling the LBGTQ+ community “filth.” Oklahoma Senate
4 Woods’ comments come after the death of 16-year-old nonbinary student Nex Benedict following a fight at school. Sue Benedict via AP
“We are a Republican state – supermajority – in the House and Senate. I represent a constituency that doesn’t want that filth in Oklahoma.”
“We are a religious state,” he continued. “We are going to fight it to keep that filth out of the state of Oklahoma because we are a Christian state – we are a moral state.”
“We are a Republican state. I’m going to vote my district. I’m going to vote my values,” he added. “And we don’t want that in the state of Oklahoma.”
A smattering of applause can be heard following Woods’ comments, though others seemed to question his use of the word “filth.”
LGBTQ advocacy group Freedom Oklahoma blasted Woods for his comments: “Words have power, and consequences,” in a social media post.
4 Benedict’s official cause of death has not been established. Courtesy Benedict Family
“Too many of Oklahoma’s leaders gleefully overlook the consequences as they wield their words of hatred and harm,” the organization wrote.
Others also condemned Woods’ words, and criticized the other lawmakers in the forum for failing to take on their colleague. “The other senators on the panel offered ZERO pushback when Senator Tom Woods was spewing his hateful bigotry,” one social media user wrote. “Oklahoma: #48 in education #1 in hate.”
“This is a response to Nex Benedict’s death from Oklahoma State Senator Tom Woods. How anyone in a position of ‘leadership’ could make that kind of comment is simply astonishing and frankly completely unacceptable. WE HAVE TO STOP VOTING FOR THESE PEOPLE,” another person chimed in.
“Nex Benedict was not filth. Nex was a child who was failed by adults at school & in Oklahoma state house. Nex deserved better & should be alive today. The only filth is Sen Tom Woods & anyone who agrees with him weaponizing religion to feel good about their hate. #NexBenedict,” one person wrote.
Another social media user noted Woods’ words were “not only deeply insensitive but also reflects a dangerous disregard for the value and dignity of every individual, regardless of their gender identity.”
Benedict’s family has launched an independent investigation into the teen’s death after early autopsy findings indicated they did not die from injuries suffered during a school bathroom fight.
4 People at a vigil for Benedict in Oklahoma City on Feb. 24, 2024. Photo by J Pat Carter/Getty Images
Their mother detailed the bullying their child endured at the hands of other Owasso High School students for over a year, and said they had bruises all over their face following the fight with three older girls just before their death.
In a statement released by their lawyers, the family urged police to investigate “all potentially liable parties to do so fully, fairly and expediently.”
“The family is independently interviewing witnesses and collecting all available evidence,” the statement says.