OK lawmaker calls LGBTQ people ‘filth’ following beating death of bullied nonbinary teen

An Oklahoma state Senator is facing criticism after he reportedly referred to LGBTQ people “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, 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.”

Woods answered by saying: “We are a Republican state – supermajority – in the House and Senate. I represent a constituency that doesn’t want that filth in Oklahoma.”

A smattering of applause can be heard following Woods’ comments.

After the panelists answered only the first part of Cott’s question, she demanded they address “the 50 bills targeting the LGBTQ community in the state of Oklahoma” and pointed to the death of 16-year-old Nex Benedict.

Benedict — who identified as nonbinary, according to family members — died on Feb. 8, a day after getting into a fight that might have been sparked by bullying about their gender identity, their mother said.

The cause of Benedict’s death has not been established, though police said a preliminary report indicated their death was not a result of injuries from the assault.

Woods later said that while his “heart goes out” following the teen’s death.