But that’s no excuse. There could have been an LGBT person at that table who was personally victimized by this boy with a twelve-year-old child’s humor. And I became a bystander at that moment because I decided to clam up instead of “sacrificing” my reputation by educating him. Even if he didn’t change his mind (he still hasn’t—most likely because nobody has stood up to him), I would have been making a point that this language is unacceptable. It targets people and puts them down. Words hurt. And this is only one instance of this happening. There are countless more incidents behind closed doors: locker rooms, texts, in the classroom, etc. where people continue to use hurtful language. Maybe it’s because they want to prove how macho/feminine they are.
So I urge you, don’t be like my past self. Don’t be a bystander because it’s the same thing as supporting that boy who used that derogatory word. A queer person could have been there hoping for an ally to help them feel validated, but because I was quiet, they felt targeted. If you have to put down somebody in order to put yourself up, you’re trash. Simple as that. Stand up for people who need your help. Simple as that.
By Isabella Madruga
19
Maybe it’s because they think they’re being funny by putting people down. Maybe it’s because they’re compensating for something. Whatever the reason is, putting something down to raise their ego is unacceptable in general, but especially in high school, where people are just figuring out their sexuality and are the most vulnerable to verbal attacks.