A group of California high schoolers has reportedly been disciplined after they lined up on the bleachers last week wearing shirts that spelled out a homophobic slur — a shocking act that has rocked the district.
The 10 troublemakers from Redwood High School, located southeast of Fresno, including several student government leaders, smiled with their arms wrapped around one another and posed for a photo with white T-shirts that spelled out “F—-t,” according to an image obtained by YourCentralValley.com.
The students had letters on their tees for a senior class photo inside the gym and had initially posed for a picture that spelled out, “Always Legit, Class of 2026,” Visalia Unified School District spokesperson Cristina Gutierrez told the San Francisco Chronicle.
But they pulled off the disturbing stunt afterward, using the “6” for the “g” in the slur.
School officials caught wind of the slur after the students’ photo started circulating on social media.
“We have recently been made aware of an image circulating in which Redwood students coordinated to spell out a hateful, homophobic slur,” Visalia Unified Superintendent Kirk Shrum said in a statement to the outlets.
“This is unacceptable behavior and this matter is being thoroughly investigated and appropriate action will be taken,” the superintendent vowed.
Gutierrez told the Chronicle that the incident has shaken the school community, especially since some of those involved were student government leaders.
By Friday, the school district announced it took “appropriate disciplinary action” against the students who spelled out the slur, according to YourCentralValley.com.
The district didn’t elaborate on the exact punishment, but the group of 10 could be suspended or expelled, according to school board policies.
