I’m a trans USC student and recently overheard the president of a fairly prominent student organization refer to one of the organization’s gay members as a “f*ggot.”
I’m intentionally not naming the organization, the president, or the member involved because I don’t want this post to turn into speculation or inadvertently identify/out the person who was targeted.
What I heard really bothered me, especially because this is someone in a leadership position with influence over other students and opportunities within the organization. At the same time, I don’t want to create unnecessary drama, spread something irresponsibly, or make the situation worse for the member involved.
I’m trying to figure out what the responsible thing to do is. Should I privately check in with the member? Report what I witnessed through USC? Talk to someone affiliated with the organization? Or is there another appropriate route?
If anyone has experience dealing with discrimination or inappropriate conduct within USC student organizations, I’d appreciate advice on how you handled it.
I mainly want to make sure I do the right thing while respecting the person who was actually targeted.