Jordan Steffy had had enough. In his Twitter bio, Jordan writes, “Don’t let one word define who you are.”
He had been called ‘f*ggot’ one time too many and was DONE. The LaPorte High School junior in Indiana says that he’s been the target of homophobic bullying since he came out in seventh grade.
Steffy shared with Insider.com that a classmate recently posted a homophobic message on Snapchat using a photo of him.
“He made an anti-gay post with a picture of me on it saying how he hated gays and a bunch of throwing up emojis all over it,” Steffy told Insider.
“I walked up to him and said ‘Why did you post this?’ He said ‘It was just a post.’ And I said ‘Well, it’s not just a post. It’s a post about me, saying how you dislike who I am, and I don’t appreciate that.’ He went on to say ‘Okay, but what are you going to do about it?’ I said ‘I’m not going to deal with this, this is the last time I’m called anything.’
“And then he said ‘What are you going to do about it, faggot?’ And that’s when I was like ‘No, I’m not doing this.’”
What followed was the slap seen round the world. When I tell you he slapped him with the hands of Harvey Milk and every ancestor at Stonewall…
When institutions cannot or will not protect us, we will protect ourselves.
— David Lytle (@davitydave) November 9, 2019
The video has been viewed more than a million times on Twitter in less than a day.
In subsequent responses to others, Jordan was surprised by the show of support, saying “I really can’t believe people actually are around to tell me that it was ok to stick up for myself!”
“I honestly was just looking for an apology,” said Jordan. “But he acted like it was no big deal and that has been the word to define me since 2nd grade.”
Apparently the fallout was the school suspended him and the bully, but his suspension was longer “due to the fighting.” Jordan added, “But I am taking it as a lesson to not be anyone’s doormat and to leave your shoes at the door.”
One Twitter user asked if he was ok and he answered with a resounding, “Yes I’m good better than ever – I honestly can’t thank people enough for all the support! Thank you for taking the time to check!”
One parent wrote, “As a mom, I think you did good.” Jordan responded that his mom totally has his back.
Jordan shared that while his mom doesn’t condone fighting, she felt it was ok to stand up not only for himself but for others as well. In fact, because his mother didn’t like the way the school administration handled the event, Jordan says she’s decided to homeschool Jordan.
As folks offered their support, Jordan said he doesn’t think he’s “any better than any person just because I stuck up for myself.” He went on to add he wants other kids “who are going through the same thing day in, day out from friends, classmates, random people” to stick up for themselves “and to have confidence!”
And the collective consciousness of bullied LGBTQ students rose up and cheered.
Damn I love the baby gays these days 🙂
— a run-by wifing (@loudandobvious) November 9, 2019
— ᴀᴍᴀɴᴛᴇ⁷💫he/they💫 (@afrojeon) November 9, 2019
With the strength to WHOOP DAT ASS!
— 🔞The name’s D I O R ❤️ (@IsbaeMinsuga) November 9, 2019
Some had no time for the unseen teacher who chimed in with a tame, “Hey, hey, Jordan, that’s enough.” Or perhaps the teacher wanted Jordan to get some licks in…?
We want to be clear that violence shouldn’t have to be ‘the answer.’ But, as we can see in the outpouring of support for Jordan, there are a LOT of folks out there who understand this scenario all too well.
Anyone who says he should have gone “high” or that his response was wrong because it looked “violent” has never had to deal with constant, daily harassing for simply being who they are. When you’re harassed and bullied for as long as Jordan said he was, it shouldn’t surprise anyone that he fought back. Everyone has a breaking point and when pushed far enough, will fight back one way or another – and these bullies deserve everything they get when their victims fight back.
Bravo Jordan!!
Bet no one messes with him again! Bravo Jordan! 🙂
GOOD FOR HIM.
“That’s enough Jordan” not its not. Kick his ass.. all you who’ve said he shouldn’t have escalated the situation don’t know what it’s like to be queer around ignorant people.
We’ve been beaten up/ killed for too long and we are fighting back.
If you tell someone to stop calling you a faggot and they don’t and they get in your face, hit em. Or else they’ll keep coming back.
“Talk to the teachers” like the administrators aren’t sometimes part of the problem. If someone is gonna get hit. I’d rather it be the bully than the kid just trying to exist. 🤷🏻♂️
Anybody who disagrees with the principle of standing up for oneself when no-one else will has clearly never been persecuted every.fucking.day.
I frequently think of how my life would have been if I’d hit back 30 years ago. If you allow it to continue, it goes on into your adult life. It repeats and repeats and repeats, in various forms, until you are an empty, defeated shell.
So yeah, this guy is totally my hero and I applaud him.
First I wanna know what escalated it to this point before someone pulled out a phone to record, such as Why did Jordan feel the need to push him away in the first place for the jckass kid to even call him that slanderous term we all have come to dislike? If this bully was the antagonist 100% to get Jordan to react to him and thats why he pushed him back off him cuz he was coming at him then Props lil man. I feel like we may not know the entirety of the story though. I applaud standing up for ones self but only if you didn’t take part in escalating it to that point in the first place. If I would have been in the room and watched this happen, Jordan wouldnt have had to stand up for himself, or even pushed him back away from him….I wouldnt have filmed it, or scurried across the room to get out of the way, I would have been between the two of them and I would have knocked this dudes lights out…..Being Gay, an ex Football player/jock/tv personality/wrestler/boxer and growing up in foster care you learn how to fight and stand up for yourself and others who cant stand up for themselves. I’ve seen it way too many times….Ill say one thing about this kind of situation, Good job standing up for yourself when someone called you a name that has slandered and ridiculed our label as “Gays” in such a demeaning way. I dont condone fighting unless you absolutely feel threatened or have too…..Im glad you stuck up for yourself. you could have easily done it without violence. Never be the one to throw the first punch! I both enjoy this whole thought of him defending himself but at what cost? Teaching even younger gay men and women that violence is what it takes to not be bullied? Honestly I wish I would have just not fought my battles the way I had similar to this, eventually I got the reputation of being a badass which made more people test the waters of that label. I should have used my intelligence to put them in their place because if they cant accept us as equals which we are on every level, they probably have a lower IQ then we do, therefore it wouldnt be hard to destroy them with a minimalist vocabulary.
Like when they call us faggots….I honestly just say thank you anymore….If they have the look of confusion I then explain why…..then ask if that was meant to be an insult…..Because being a faggot is Epic….their women like us better than they like straight men……were known to be clean, tidy, hygienic, smart, Good looking, fashionable, Good in the kitchen, Great listeners…..were pretty much everything they aren’t and everything their wife/GF/bae wants………so again how is that an insult?
I wasn’t impressed with this kid’s behavior. I’m glad to see him stand up for himself but he seemed to be the aggressor in that video. Be the gentleman. Make your point, behave in a civilized manner, and then when your point is made, let the other guy bow out. Otherwise, you’re no better of a person than he is. Go high.
Yes, Yes, Yes!
Violence is not the answer, ever!
This just encourages people, especially young people looking for internet “fame”, to start beating on everyone that ever offended them. I’m not blaming this kid for being a kid, but he was wrong to initiate violence. We should NOT be praising this!
eat shit bitch!
“Gay Twitter”??? Seriously? I didn’t realize we had our very own Twitter. SMH
Those who say “I don’t condone fighting but…” don’t really mean it. Yes, you do and don’t be afraid to say it. I do condone fighting back when diplomacy doesn’t work. Sometimes you need to speak to a bully in their own language. Words hurt. They damage as they are intended to. I have no doubt that this was likely the first lesson this bully has ever learned.
I spent years in school being called F*ggot and worse names all because an awful rumor, until one day I decided, I wasn’t going to take it anymore. This was during a time (not that long ago) when being gay in school was far less tolerable than it is today. Teachers actually turned their back when I was called these horrible names. One even went as far as to say I didn’t hear a thing, when class was stopped while I was being insulted. That was the day I said “NO MORE”! I responded by calling the teaching a f*cking Bitch and punching the star basketball player (bully) that called me a F*ggot. Dropped him like a bad habit. When he went down I said tell all of you jock friends the “f*ggot” did it. Due to his status on our basketball team, we were both given “in-school” suspension, so he could continue playing ball without game suspensions. He got two days and I got five. Two for fighting and three for calling the teacher a bitch. It was worth it! Two good things came out of that punch. I was never bullied again and I gain a sense of “self” that I have never lost! I don’t condone violence to this day however; sometimes it is the only thing bullies understand. Jordan I’m proud of you not only for standing up for yourself, but for accepting the consequences of your actions.
I freaking love your story!!!! Thank you for sharing it and good for you for standing up for yourself!
You don’t have to make up stories
GO AWWWWF JORDAN!!!! Sometimes you gotta take the suspension to prove the point. It’s one of those things that you sit at home and say, I’d do it the exact same way again, and it was worth it. The slap heard around the world will protect you until you graduate. No body will f with you again. They certainly wont call you that again and if they do, they mos def won’t do it to your face. That reach is long…on so many levels. Kudos for standing up for yourself and others…He didn’t take heed that you had #enough
That bastard started that fight, pushed him and punched him, sounds like a bully to me. The other kid shouldn’t have even got in trouble.
You don’t know the definition of bully then. The other kid called him a faggot multiple times. How is HE not the bully?
Thank you to whoever captured this video and posted it for the world to witness homohatred and bullying in a PUBLIC classroom at LaPorte High School in Indiana in 2019 😢
The School Board,The Parents,The Instructor,The Other Students all share some responsibility for this outcome.
The fact that the person defending themselves(Great Punch 🤜 Jordan 🤗🤗) is punished MORE tells the WHOLE story. As long as disrespect is acceptable nothing will ever change.
Wishing Positive Power to you Jordan and good job 👍🏼
Jordon, as a gay guy in his 40’s I know all too well how awful high school bullying is. I’m damn proud of you for standing up for yourself. If someone is gonna bully and harass someone then they absolutely deserve to get the shit beat out of them. As for home schooling. I don’t think that’s the best idea. Because it lets the bullies think they scared you off. I get it though if you don’t want to deal with it anymore. The teacher .. fuck you for not saying anything until jordon hit the kid. You should be ashamed of yourself and have no business teaching if that’s how you protect kids. The bully. Your calling people Faggot. Because you are one. (Trust me. He likes guys). My heart goes out to you jordon for how you must have felt in that video. Trust me. After high school. Life will get WAY better. Swear it. What stands out the most though is the lack of any reaction or speaking up by the teacher until it was time to blame jordon. Fire the teacher. Smack the school. Would the teacher have been as slow to react if jordan were black and the kid was calling him nigg@&r?
OMG – this is about some gay kid getting bullied and of course people have to make it political and invoke the name of Trump in so many posts. This has NOTHING to do with #Trumphole
Sabrina, look at what tRump has done to roll back all the gains that have been made to not discriminate against LGBT students and people. When you have done that and look at tRump supporters in general, I.e. Nazi’s, White Supremacists, and Conservative Evangelicals, and you can see where LGBT citizens are expendable. Every time tRump makes a move it seems like it’s a page from the A. Hitler Playbook.
First of all – WAY TO GO JORDAN!
In High School I was a quiet, well mannered theater geek. The popular kids, and one in particular, gave me the nickname “Wings”. I guess so they didn’t have to say Fairy out loud. In science class one day, one of these guys just kept whispering “Wings” behind my back. I had a really bad day and was in a really bad mood. Finally I heard it 1 time to many and just leapt over the table and started to beat the shit out of him – just like Jordan. There comes a time when you have had ENOUGH and no one is going to stick up for you. Jordan was in that place. He had ENOUGH.
I was bullied in junior high. Nearly every day for a year the bully would pick on me or throw things at me. One day I just couldn’t take it anymore. As we left the auditorium after practicing for a band concert the bully hit me on the back of my head with his notebook. I threw my horn to the ground and lunged at him. I had him flat on his back continuously punching him in the face.
The director broke up the fight and took us both to the principal’s office. When the principal heard how long the bullying had been going on before I finally reacted he surprised me. He turned to the bully and said that a dog who constantly picks on a cat should prepare to get clawed because eventually you push beyond the limits to bear.
Jordan’s bully has now learned that lesson. I bet he’ll think twice before he tries to pick on someone again.
This lesson was taught in a classroom setting. Nobody stood up and got between the two guys. Everyone learned something.
Where was the teacher? He was not in the class where he belonged and if the teacher did not stop the bullying then fire the teacher. And I am tired of the one who fights back gets more penalty when the abusers get off easy. The school should be sued for not protecting all kids and this escalated because adults look the other way.
I actually know the teacher, having graduated from that school. He usually hangs out in the hallway to greet people and makes sure people aren’t running late. The bell at the beginning of the video means that you have a couple seconds to get to class before you’re considered late. And he usually watches for kids. He also has trouble moving around a little bit, so he might’ve heard what was going on but couldn’t get to the situation at first. He is extremely against discrimination of all kinds so I know if he saw the fight before it started, he would’ve helped out. But I’m not saying the kid didn’t deserve it, he did tbh.
That how it’s done little man. Beat the shit out of those who bully you. Don’t take there shit. That’s exactly what it takes to gain respect. That’s exactly what TRUMP and the Republicans are going to do to the sissy ass bitch liberals in 2020. Keep up the good fight and don’t let stupid people get in your way. Good Job young man!!!
Don’t bring Trump into this. This has nothing to do with Trump. It’s about homophobia – and bullying homophobia at that. Many Trump supporters are bullying homophobes. And I dare say that many Democrat voters are too. So, stop your hijacking of this.
Idiot
Fuckin’ shill.
So the message here is physical violence is totally ok when you don’t like what someone says about you? If he put his hands on you that’s one thing, but he didn’t. Screw that kid.
And I can’t stand a dumb ass.
When someone is calling you names and coming at you, you know it’s not because they want a hug. I do not agree with the “Don’t throw the first punch” philosophy. People KNOW when they are in danger, our bodies have fight or flight for a reason. Some people just choose to ignore signs of danger. If you know something is about to happen. Stop it . And he did. He did not go looking for trouble. And he was wise to stop it before he became a victim.
No, the message is much more specific. Don’t tolerate homophobia, and strike back at bullying homophobia and bullying homophobes. Don’t you see that?
He did good standin’ up for himself, but now somebody just gota teach ’em how to throw a punch.
That’s not what’s being stated.
Yeah it’s good to stand up for yourself sometimes when no one else is there to help stand up for you. And the kid was getting in his face first clearly. If you have a A problem with what happened, then go cry about it to someone who cares
Wait til one of your kids are being bullied… Everyday…. For years… And the school does nothing…. Hearing faggot all day everyday is hard to comprehend when you’re struggling with your sexuality as it is… This kid didn’t make it any easier for Jordan…. But until you’ve walked a day in any of our shoes…. Your comment is dead….
No one cares what you think. You sound like a bully.
The lame teacher is the one who should be suspended, along with the bully. The teacher failed to stop the bully in his tracks and put him on report for his behavior. Since the teacher and the school failed in their jobs, Jordan had little other choice but to defend himself. Good for him. Nice right hook, too! My hope is that the bully learned his lesson and will undergo an attitude adjustment, perhaps one in which he learns how to be a friend to others, regardless of their sexual orientation, race or other immaterial characteristic. He could start with an apology to Jordan.
Yeah, like a lot of people I spent a lot of years trying to be the good little non-violent liberal and where did it all get us? Trumpster trash! Sometimes you just have to slap a bastard! And when you have to slap a bastard, slap them hard!
Yes, I wish I had done. I wish I had been brave enough.
Whew… Jordan literally rearranged the tastebuds in that little bigot’s mouth. Bravo!
Home schooling Jordan is NOT the answer. That is letting the bully win. Jordan was right to stand up for himself. His mom should “fight back” by standing up for Jordan’s right to attend public school. The school was wrong for suspending both boys — only the bully should have been suspended — that would have established the correct precedent for the students of the whole school.
Wow, Jordan, what’s slap down! The a$$ho!e deserved it. You are a lot of people’s hero today. Thank you. I wish I’d been as brave as you with my bullies.
Classmate saying that is enough, are you kidding me? If it were reversed they would egg the bully on and videotape and laugh in the background. Not today Satan!!!!
The Dude got what he Deserved.
Great job Jordan! Be proud of who you are! Stand up and take charge!
I was in tears watching the whole video. This reminds me of myself when I was in high school being bullied everyday. Thank you Jordan for standing up for yourself that most of us can’t during our time.
Bravo Jordan, you fought back for your right to be who you are and for the rights of others to stand up to that bully. I’m sure your not the only kid in that class that got bullied by him .so take a bow, you are what makes this world a better place..
Pisses me off at the end when the classmates are telling Jordan that’s enough, but no one is heard coming to Jordan’s defense when he’s being called a faggot. That boy received the beat down he rightfully deserved.
Why does the title of this article need to say “Gay Twitter”? There is no such thing as gay twitter. It’s just Twitter. Love the article but HATE the title.
Thanks for your comment, Ryan. I wrote the article. I used the phrase ‘gay Twitter’ in the headline because the majority of responses to Jordan’s tweet were from LGBTQ people who saw themselves in that same moment. I could have written ‘And Gay People On Twitter Saw Themselves In The Moment’ but you can see we only have so much room for a headline. It wasn’t meant to inflame. From all over the internet we’ve heard from LGBTQ people – and yes, primarily gay men – who suffered bullying in school and felt this story resonated with them. Sometimes we only have so much space to make clear what an article is about. I hope you understand. Thanks again for reading the article and for your comment.
Good for you Jordan! Enough was enough and I promise you, he will think twice next time. Unfortunately, he’s probably a closeted gay himself. I had the same thing happen to me in HS. Constant bullying and I had to stand up for myself too. Good for you!
I do not condone violence – as a black man who grew up in suburbia in the 80’s I was called the n-word a lot ( not by classmates but by loser adults and as recently as 2 weeks ago in West Hollywood CA – Weho, y’all!).. I am a big man – 6’3” and I can handle myself but I always restrain myself unless wife, kids or friends are threatened – anyway, I empathize with Jordan on a deep level – it is 2019 and he just wants to go to school, learn, have some fun & be left the hell alone but here comes knucklehead who thinks it is his prerogative to mess with, intimidate, humiliate & bully Jordan . That bully has been listening to someone (Dad? Uncle? Grandfather?) who has fed him a bunch of homophobic BS & he missed all of the warnings Jordan provided – warnings that, if heeded, would have kept him safe 1) theFact that Jordan wasn’t backing down, 2 ) hard shove ( hard enough to move him & show him that Jordan is strong) 3) the mf’ing slap – wow- he Almost knocked Him down with the slap 4) the body’s language and fluid hands ( Jordan was ready to fight ) 5) the words “ I am gonna pop yo ass” . If you don’t believe me- watch with the volume down ( the trash talk is distracting ) & just Focus on the body language —. Then, watch the other video of the slap with the volume down . Unbelievable .
Sometimes the only way to end a situation is violence. This is a concept people have shown throughout history. It is unavoidable. I have no doubt that Jordan will live to be an adult.
I can relate and I was bullied n jumped all through school yrs but I still graduated n moved on today I still get name call n in fights I have scars to show I will not stay down under the ignorance of another human for I Continue to fight for myself and for others who have been through the negative ways of life u go boi keep standing up urself and others in this matter .. much luv and respect
I would like to know what people expect a teacher to do? Teachers are not allowed to touch students so they can’t hold them back and jumping between the students puts the teacher in danger of being hurt. What can they do besides call the office or police?
Oh, Missy. That teacher should’ve never let things get to this point, he has the authority to stop bullying in his classroom the minute it starts.
Time for folks to learn to stand up for what’s right instead of worrying about rocking the boat or being liked.
Laporte high school says it’s a no bullying school and that is a lie kids got bullied all the time they never do anything about it cause it’s hear say. And they wonder why kids take it into their own hands and deal with it.step up laporte high school deal with the issues before it’s gets to a fighting situation
I noticed how Jordan got the longer suspension even though he was defending himself. Tell me what message that gives to bullies. Its ok to bully because if they stand up for themselves the punishment is harder on the victim. NICE MESSAGE
He redefined the meaning of “gay bashed”. That receiver will never live that down. And it’s kinda nice to see him shamed and whooped by the gay boy.
Life is good.
I was called faggot so many times in school. That was forty something years ago. A few times I slugged back and got taken to the principal’s office. The principal asked me what my parents would say. I told him my parents told me to “take my part” which is Appalachian for defend yourself. My parents were on my side. Fight back! And if you can’t fight back, find a friend who will. I had 5 brothers who did. Good for you!
In a way I’m sorry his mother decided to homeschool him, that way the bully somewhat wins. Jordan has made his position clear and is willing to stand his ground. The haters will think twice before they pick on him again and he has gained respect among other classmates. I can respect his mother’s decision if this is only part of the reason to be homeschooled.
That fugly dude would be in jail I would have beat a ugly foolz a$$ hands down
Homophobes need to be careful about who they mess with. Mess with the wrong bitch one time too many, and they’ll regret it.
What a sissy fight
your an ass
Oh Matt…
So happy Jordan stuck up for himself AND that his mom has his back. Too many kids are being bullied because most parents are saying “no fighting, just go tell someone.” Look, that never works, and normally never ends well for the kid being bullied. STICK UP FOR YOURSELF! Win or lose, show them your not messing around with them and throw some hay makers! Kids are killing themselves now a day’s because they are being bullied and have no one to turn to. WHOOP SOME ASS LIKE JORDAN DID!
And btw, what did y’all want that teacher to do? I think he did right. Y’all didn’t hear him say or do anything for the first push and the first punch. Almost as if he wanted Jordan to show that kid up, or maybe he was a homophobe thinking the other boy was going to do something. EITHER WAY, teacher stayed out of it until he was needed. Teachers can’t do anything anymore without getting fired now anyways.
Way to go Jordan. Proud of you for sticking up for yourself, kiddo!
This warms the cockles of my heart…whatever tf that means. =D
For all of us who were bullied in school – may I say thank you to Jordan – you did what I was afraid to do almost 50 years ago. You are my hero.
Thanks for that, Joseph. I wrote the article, and I was bullied throughout school, called ‘faggot’ in front of teachers and classmates almost daily. I think this story has resonated with so many because that experience became embedded in our DNA. Good on Jordan for taking his stand.
I wish Jordan’s mother didn’t decide on home schooling. Doing that looks like Jordan did something wrong when it was the bully and Jordan’s school at fault. If Jordan was Black and the bully called him a Nigger, would Jordan have been suspended? When Jordan’s suspension is over, I’d bet he’ll get a lot of peer support when he returns to school. I’m a senior gay man who grew up when admitting you were gay would result in lost friendships, beatings, and alienation. Just like the majority, I support Jordan and am proud of his strength.
GET’EM. That first slap was EVERYTHING. 🙌🏼 Everyone’s mentioning how the teacher waited to get involved… sometimes it’s just that way, especially if that kid is constantly a bully. The worst kid at our school finally pushed the wrong person too far, she got her ass handed to her and the teachers in the hall all had that look on their faces “like ooooh, wait a second, she gon learn today” They def stalled in breaking the fight up. Funny, that girl wasn’t a problem anymore after that day 😂
Can’t wait for the bully to come out of the closet in ten years.
He was probably hearing that and being treated horribly for years before this happened , I’m glad he stood up for himself , no one deserves to be treated like that. Maybe a lesson for bullies to quit fucking with the gay kids.
If I had a gay son I’d sure as shit teach him how to throw a proper punch. Why don’t either of these kids know how to speak or fight? lol….
The short blond left himself completely open to that first smack, which connected but didn’t have much force. The second swing was telegraphed all over the place allowing the blonde to duck. I really hate to see that. Any person that faces hate should learn martial arts to properly defend themselves.
you should see the 2nd and fuller video because it was over after that first slap…he went all in on the bully
What podunk school is this that neither kid can can manage to speak proper english? How embarrassing.
Oh stfu…this is seriously all you can can come up with, MATT?
Lol Matt is an idiot,, I just had to chime in with you..
Matt you’re just as annoying as that kid that got slapped😂Please shut up you are embarrassing yourself!
The school is LaPorte High School in LaPorte, Indiana.
Their vision statement is as follows:
LaPorte High School ensures that all students reach their maximum potential and that parents and the community are actively involved.
LaPorte High School provides for every student a safe caring environment, where learning is enjoyable and relevant to the needs of an ever-changing world, thus empowering them to become responsible life-long learners.
Good thing they provide a “safe caring environment”.
The phone number to contact them is xxx-xxx-xxxx.
I can understand both being suspended, but should have been equal.
Most schools have a type of no physical fighting, otherwise suspension. They have to, what with kids carrying weapons & more. If you have an arbitrary policy, then you have chaos with punishment. And you run the risk of the wrong person being suspended.
I cheer for him standing up for himself, even if it meant suspension. Thats true courage.