
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.
This is the fight pic.twitter.com/DAsehv9I4m
— Jordan Steffy (@JordanSteffy1) 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.
He 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.
When I say that this baby slapped him with the hands of Harvey Milk and EVERY ancestor at Stone Wall…. pic.twitter.com/3ycoR9rcgz
— Jon Paul, Ed.D 🌈 (@DoctorJonPaul) November 9, 2019
When institutions cannot or will not protect us, we will protect ourselves.
— David Lytle (@davitydave) November 9, 2019
Whoop. 👏🏼Their. 👏🏼Ass. 👏🏼 pic.twitter.com/GxSIG8cNJs
— Joshua Anthony Villegas (@Joshooahvee88) November 9, 2019
lol pic.twitter.com/KlbG5qCwfy
— 🧨 (@invertibrate) November 9, 2019
the girls are gonna learn to stop messing with the gays thinking they can bully us and not get handled accordingly, you will receive a 3 piece and won’t have to stand in line at popeyes to get it pic.twitter.com/Ttimw4romH
— j (@jarekendel) November 9, 2019
Damn I love the baby gays these days 🙂
— a run-by wifing (@loudandobvious) November 9, 2019
With the strength to WHOOP DAT ASS!
— YoongiChopz❤️Misses BTS (@IsbaeMinsuga) November 9, 2019
JORDANNNNN
— Anthony (@anthony_MB75) November 9, 2019
don’t get into the habit of fighting to much but we’re happy you’re standing up for yourself!
— Cassius Forever (@CRUELCASSIUS) November 9, 2019
Omg you are a legend
— . (@mileyselitee) November 9, 2019
— Slade (@Slade) November 9, 2019
Honestly Jordan might’ve knocked that particular vocabulary out of his head for good. Icon
— ヱリカ (@Kangaesugiru) November 9, 2019
Im in the back ifvthe class room screaming “Yes Queen” !!!!
— RÖZAÉ XCII (1992) (@Vindemiaee) November 9, 2019
— 🐻 Cory 🍯 (@YungxZorua) 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…?
You know we stan ❤️
Handled yourself the only ones carrying shame is that bully the school and the teacher
— Abortion is a Goddamn Miracle (@readkropotkin) November 9, 2019
“hey, hey, Jordan that’s enough” pic.twitter.com/cAbWsjsVYz
— Mik (@ScrapeSquadMK) November 9, 2019
But why did the teacher wait to say something? 🤷🏽♂️ pic.twitter.com/XvX2TEBZpA
— Christopher (@heschristofer) November 9, 2019
For all of us older queer folks who put up with this on a regular basis as a child, thank you. 😍
— Rob Bieber Ⓥ🌈 (@rob_bieber) November 9, 2019
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.
What do you think?