After the death of a nonbinary student, Oklahoma's state superintendent Ryan Walters defended strict gender policies, rejecting the existence of nonbinary and transgender individuals. Critics accuse him of creating a hostile environment for LGBTQ+ students. Walters has faced backlash for appointing an individual with anti-LGBTQ+ views to a state committee. His controversial actions and statements have sparked debate and raised concerns about the treatment of LGBTQ+ students in the state's schools.