CA High Schoolers Investigated Over Homophobic Photo With Slur

VISALIA, CA — A photo of 10 students at a central California high school wearing shirts spelling out a homophobic slur has provoked outcry in the community and prompted an investigation, according to authorities.

Visalia Unified School District Superintendent Kirk Shrum notified community members Thursday of the “image portraying Redwood students spelling out a hateful, homophobic slur.”

The next day, in a follow-up message, he announced that “appropriate disciplinary action has been taken in accordance with District policy,” adding that students would have increased access to social-emotional support on campus at Redwood High School following the incident.

“While specific details cannot be made public, please know that as we continue our investigation, we are taking appropriate action in accordance with district board policy and applicable law,” Shrum wrote in a follow-up message to the community on Tuesday.

The picture, which is still circulating on social media, shows the students sitting on gym bleachers in shirts bearing numbers and letters that spell out the slur.

District spokesperson Cristina Gutierrez told the San Francisco Chronicle the image was taken as students dispersed after the senior class photo on Thursday, during which they wore lettered and numbered shirts to spell out “Always Legit, Class of 2026.”

Those pictured spelling the slur, some of whom were student government leaders, could face suspension and expulsion, Gutierrez told the newspaper.

Shrum noted in his message on Tuesday that “hate speech will not be tolerated.”

“At Redwood High School, administrators are meeting with students to address hate speech, civility, and the responsibility that comes with being a member of our Visalia schools and community,” Shrum wrote.

“As a district, we will convene a roundtable with community leaders who support students in modeling civility and engaging in positive discourse.”

In a community message about the incident, The Source LGBT+ Center, which is located in Visalia, commended Shrum’s prompt response to the photo.

“Let’s be clear: this is not a harmless joke," the message said. "Incidents like this reinforce stigma, normalize hate, and send a painful message to LGBTQ+ students that they are unsafe, unwelcome, or unworthy of respect."