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Visalia students spell out homophobic slur, sparking backlash
District takes disciplinary action, plans community roundtables on civility after senior photo incident
Published on Feb. 22, 2026
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A group of ASB senior students at Redwood High School in Visalia, California took a photo spelling out an anti-gay slur on their T-shirts, sparking national backlash. The district has confirmed disciplinary action, but some LGBTQ+ students say they feel targeted and silenced.
Why it matters
The incident highlights ongoing concerns about hate speech and discrimination against LGBTQ+ students in schools, as well as the need for stronger policies and community engagement to promote civility and inclusion.
The details
Eight ASB students wore T-shirts with individual numbers and letters to spell 'ALWAYS LEGIT, CLASS OF 2026', then rearranged themselves to spell '2 FAG6OTS' after their senior photo. This came after some ASB leaders reacted to two middle-school boys holding hands during an eighth-grade orientation. The district says the involved students faced 'disciplinary action' but won't release specifics. LGBTQ+ students feel 'invisible' and 'unheard', while one senior expressed concern about backlash against the families of the students involved.
- The incident occurred on February 12, 2026 during a senior photo session at Redwood High School.
The players
Redwood High School
A high school located in Visalia, California.
Kirk Shrum
The superintendent of the school district overseeing Redwood High School.
Kevin De Haro
A senior at Redwood High School who expressed concern about the backlash against the families of the students involved.
What they’re saying
“Many LGBTQ+ students 'feel kind of invisible or unheard' and their concern is 'not physical harm, but more of just not being understood or heard'.”
— Anonymous Redwood Senior (The Fresno Bee)
“I don't think what they did was right, but I don't think they should be getting all the hate to their families and stuff.”
— Kevin De Haro, Senior (The Fresno Bee)
What’s next
The district plans to 'convene a roundtable with community leaders who support students in modeling civility and engaging in positive discourse'. Redwood administrators are also meeting with students to address hate speech and civility.
The takeaway
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges schools face in addressing hate speech and discrimination against LGBTQ+ students, and the need for stronger policies, community engagement, and student-led initiatives to promote a more inclusive and respectful school environment.
