New Berlin school officials investigate video that shows student using homophobic slur

NEW BERLIN -- A homophobic slur and a controversial outfit inside New Berlin West High School prompted a response from administrators. The incident was recorded using a cellphone, and the video was shared online.

"The people laughing, people just heard that and no one wanted to say anything," said Hayley Triggs, who graduated from New Berlin West High School in 2011.

Triggs said she wasn't happy to hear the news.

"We all know what the word means. We all know it's used to be hateful. You can't just go around saying things like that," Triggs said.

The video, which was posted to social media on Monday, Feb. 4, showed a pair of students at the high school wearing T-shirts with text that read "THERE'S ONLY" along with male and female symbols beneath. One of the students in the video could be heard using a homophobic slur.

"If a trans person saw that in the school, that's invalidating their identity," said Jamie Erdheim, youth advocate at the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center.

Protecting and educating on identity is the goal at the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center.

"Youth don't feel safe if the adults in the room aren't calling that out, and the students are high-fiving, getting away with it -- walking away. That's endorsing it," said Erdheim.

"These kids aren't doing this to make a statement. These kids are doing this because they want to see other kids upset. That's bullying," said Sam Stoiber, former student at New Berlin Eisenhower Middle/High School.

Michael Fesenmaier, the principal of New Berlin West Middle/High School, issued a statement on Tuesday, Feb. 5 condemning the video.

Principal Fessmeier's statement reads as follows:

"I really thought it was going to get better," Triggs said. "I'm almost ashamed to live in New Berlin now."

Superintendent Joe Garza also issued a statement on this matter: