News
Oklahoma Schools Chief Continues to Defend Strict Gender Policies Following Nex Benedict’s Death
Following the tragic death of 16-year-old nonbinary student Nex Benedict, Oklahoma’s state superintendent, Ryan Walters, has faced criticism for his strict gender policies in schools. In the wake of this incident, where Nex passed away after an altercation in a high school girls’ bathroom, advocates for LGBTQ rights have accused Mr. Walters of fostering a harmful environment within Oklahoma’s public schools.
In his first interview addressing Nex’s death, Mr. Walters defended his stance on gender, stating that he believes there are only two genders as created by God and that nonbinary or transgender identities do not exist. He reiterated that Oklahoma schools will not permit students to use preferred names or pronouns that do not align with their birth sex.
While expressing condolences for Nex’s passing, Mr. Walters emphasized that his views on gender would not change. He asserted that while individuals should be treated with respect, the truth, as he sees it, remains unchanged. This firm stance has made him a polarizing figure in Oklahoma’s political landscape.
Critics argue that the rhetoric from officials like Mr. Walters has contributed to a hostile environment for LGBTQ students, leading to instances of harassment and bullying. The recent tragedy involving Nex has reignited debates about the treatment of gender issues in schools and the responsibilities of educational leaders in fostering inclusive environments.
In response to allegations that anti-gay and anti-transgender policies may have played a role in Nex’s death, Mr. Walters maintained that the incident was not directly related to any school policies. The police investigation into the circumstances surrounding Nex’s passing is ongoing, with authorities examining video footage from the high school.
Advocacy organizations like GLAAD have condemned Nex’s death as a tragic and senseless act, calling for greater awareness and sensitivity towards LGBTQ issues. However, Mr. Walters criticized what he perceived as attempts to politicize the tragedy for personal gain.
The controversy surrounding Mr. Walters extends beyond Nex’s case, with critics pointing to his appointment of individuals with anti-LGBTQ views to key positions. This move has raised concerns about the impact of such appointments on school policies and the well-being of LGBTQ students.
While Mr. Walters has been praised for his efforts to uphold conservative values, his critics argue that his uncompromising approach has created a divisive atmosphere in Oklahoma’s education system. As debates over LGBTQ rights continue to unfold, the role of leaders like Mr. Walters in shaping school policies remains a contentious issue.
As Oklahoma grapples with these complex and sensitive issues, the future of LGBTQ rights in schools hangs in the balance. The ongoing debate over gender policies and inclusivity reflects a broader societal struggle to reconcile traditional beliefs with evolving understandings of identity and diversity.
In the midst of these challenges, voices on all sides are calling for empathy, respect, and dialogue to bridge the divides that threaten to tear communities apart. Whether Oklahoma will find common ground on these contentious issues remains to be seen, but the legacy of Nex Benedict serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of creating schools that are safe and welcoming for all students, regardless of their gender identity.
News
Is now the right time to invest in gold as prices have cooled?
The price of gold has climbed to record highs recently and has remained strong through much of April. And, that growth continued until the precious metal traded at around $2,390 per ounce on April 19, 2024. But since, growth in the price of the precious metal has cooled, with gold’s price now hovering around $2,300 per ounce.
This lull in gold’s price may represent an investment opportunity.
In general, investing is centered around buying assets when prices are low and selling them when prices are high – generating a profit on the difference between the two. So, considering the declines in gold’s price over the past few days, now may be the time to make your investment. But is buying gold during this lull in prices really a good idea?
Compare your gold investment options among leading brokers now.
Gold prices have cooled. Should you buy in now?
With gold’s price down from recent highs, you may be wondering if now is the right time to buy in. There are several reasons the dip in gold’s price may represent an opportunity to buy. Here are some of the biggest:
Prices may rise again
If looking at a gold price chart shows anything for certain, it shows that changes in the overall growth of the medal come in fits and spurts. Periods of price growth are typically followed by periods of declines and vice versa.
But with inflation rising in recent months – and with gold’s reputation as a safe-haven asset that can hedge against inflation – it only makes sense that the price of the precious metal will eventually start to head up again in the future. While attempting to time that directional change may be tricky, buying the precious metal while the price is down gives you the opportunity to take advantage of any upward movement that may be ahead.
Add gold to your portfolio now before prices have a chance to rise.
You may be able to make a quick profit
Gold isn’t known as an asset in which you can earn a quick return, but in today’s market, that may be the case. Don’t forget that in January, gold was trading at just $2,000 per ounce. And, by mid-April, the commodity’s price had climbed to around $2,400 per ounce. That’s about 20% growth in a matter of months, much of which happened since March 1 – an impressive climb for any investment asset.
Perhaps more importantly, gold’s price growth through the beginning of 2024 shows that the commodity doesn’t have to be a buy and hold style investment that you keep in a safety deposit box or precious metal depository for years to come. There’s also the possibility that the commodity’s price could climb further ahead, making it a compelling way to potentially generate a quick profit.
There are other benefits of investing in gold
There are other benefits of investing in gold that have little to do with the price growth seen thus far in 2024 – or the lull in prices seen over the past couple of days. Those benefits include:
- Inflation protection: Gold has long been considered an inflation hedge, and for good reason. When inflation drives the prices of consumer goods and services up – and the value of the dollar down – gold’s price tends to rise. So, it could be used to maintain the value of your portfolio during inflationary economic conditions. That’s important in today’s economic environment as stubborn inflation continues to weigh on the value of the dollar.
- Portfolio diversification: Gold’s price doesn’t always move in the same pattern that bonds or stocks do. So, mixing a reasonable amount of gold into your portfolio (up to 10% of your portfolio assets) as a diversifier could protect you from losses should one or more of your traditional portfolio assets fall in value. “If you have less than 5% – 10% of your net worth in commodities & FX (forex), you should absolutely consider adding exposure to gold and other precious metals,” says Vijay Marolia, money manager and managing partner at the wealth management firm, Regal Point Capital.
The bottom line
Gold’s price has fallen from recent highs – which may represent an opportunity to tap into growth ahead. However, gold isn’t simply a “buy while it’s low and sell while it’s a high” kind of investment opportunity. The commodity can also protect your portfolio from the stubborn inflation we’ve seen thus far in 2024 while acting as a diversification tool that could increase your risk-adjusted portfolio returns. So, consider adding gold to your portfolio today while it has the potential to grow in value.
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