Homophobic slur photo puts some Visalia Redwood High students under investigation
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Redwood High ASB students staged a homophobic slur photo during orientation.
- District launched an investigation and pledged consequences under policy and law.
- LGBTQ advocates and community members condemned the incident and demanded accountability.
A group of Redwood High School’s ASB students in Visalia are under investigation for a “homophobic slur” photo incident on Thursday on school campus. LGBTQ advocates condemn those actions.
“Let’s be clear: this is not a harmless joke,” said The Source LGBT+ Center in Visalia in a statement Friday afternoon in response to the incident. “Incidents like this reinforce stigma, normalize hate and send a painful message to LGBTW+ students.”
Superintendent Kirk Shrum said, the district was made aware of an image portraying Redwood students spelling out a hateful, “homophobic slur” in a statement posted on social media Thursday night.
According to the Visalia Times Delta news report, the school’s associated student body was leading an eight-grade orientation on Thursday when some ASB leaders reacted to two middle-school boys holding hands.
The staging of the homophobic slur photo at the school gym occurred around fourth period when a small group of eight ASB students – male and female, made shirts to spell out “2 FAG6OTS” while seating next to each other on the bleachers, according to news reports.
“That message carries real consequences for young’s people mental health, safety and sense of belonging,” said The Source LGBT+ Center. “Our youth deserve better. We can do better.”
The tern is derogatory against the LGBTQ+ community, and it is also considered to be hate speech.
According to news reports, the photo was shared schoolwide by students who took photos of the incident at the gym which was also being used for senior photos. It is unclear if eight-graders who were on campus for incoming freshmen orientation saw ASB students staging the photo.
Shrum said the students’ behavior “is unacceptable and does not reflect who we are or the values we uphold in our schools.”
According to the district, the Redwood administration will be investigating and taking appropriate action and providing necessary consequences in accordance with district policy and law. It is unclear what the consequences might be for those who took part.
“Every student deserves to feel respected, protected and valued on our campuses,” said Shrum. “We will continue working to ensure our schools are places where dignity, belonging and accountably guided our actions.”
Many community members responded to the district’s social media statement about the homophobic incident photo with concerns.
“This wasn’t “kids being kids.” It was a deliberate decision to create and display a poster board of privilege by students who represent leadership,” said Josette Romero Guzmán on Facebook.
Romero Guzmán, who has seen the photo, said “our children deserve better examples of responsibility, empathy, and leadership.”
This story was originally published February 14, 2026 at 11:41 AM with the headline "Homophobic slur photo puts some Visalia Redwood High students under investigation."
