There should be no space for homophobia in any setting, yet incidents like this prove it remains an issue even among young people. At Redwood High School in California’s Visalia Unified School District, a group of senior students drew attention for all the wrong reasons following a class photo session.
Inside the school gym, seniors initially posed in coordinated T-shirts spelling out “Class of 2026 Always Legit.” After the official photo was taken, however, several students repositioned themselves to rearrange the message into a homophobic slur. The altered image, in which the students appeared to be smiling, quickly began circulating.
What began as a routine senior photo became a reminder that prejudice can surface anywhere, and that accountability, especially in educational spaces, still matters.
ABC30 later aired a blurred version of the image featuring the California high school students. However, the unedited photo quickly surfaced in the comment section beneath the video, clearly showing the students’ faces.
In response, the Visalia Unified School District confirmed it has launched an investigation. The district described the message spelled out by the students as a “hateful, homophobic slur,” making its stance on the incident clear.
What makes the situation more troubling is that the act took place in a packed gym during the photo session. Any LGBTQ+ students present were forced to witness the display firsthand. According to one student from the school, those involved are well-known on campus and considered leaders. That reputation, however, did not prevent them from participating in the incident.
The viral image had already started affecting the LGBTQ+ community in Visalia, California. ABC30 shared that The Source LGBT+ Center said that they have been overwhelmed with calls ever since the picture was posted. This prompted them to hold a youth and community forum. “Hate speech does have a direct impact on not only student performance, but students’ feelings of isolation increase and anxiety, depression, suicidal ideations. We’re seeing kids start to model behaviors that they’re seeing in adults engaging, now we’re seeing that trickle down into our schools.” Says Ericka Hawkyard, The Source Visalia Director of Programs, according to the news outlet. It’s not clear yet what the punishment would be but it could include suspension.
People Reacting to the California High School Students’ Homophobia
The majority of people were rightfully upset by how homophobic the California high school students were being. This is why many wanted them to face consequences. “Release their names. So any future colleges and employers know,” one person wrote. An LGBTQ+ advocate on Instagram also shared the picture and wrote, “Expel these students at Redwood High School in Visalia, CA.” Someone in the comments claimed that the students were already facing consequences. “My friend knows some of them from when she went to the high school and said that they all got banned from walking at graduation amongst other consequences,” they said. Another person wrote, “hate speech have consequences…notice how this isn’t common because not everyone is full of hate and show it.”
Not everyone condemned the California students’ actions. A number of commenters came to their defense, prompting a sharp response from others online. One person wrote, “It’s vile and evil conduct. Colleges should rescind their attendance and prospective employers should not employ them.”
Supporters of the students pushed back. “People have become so soft,” one commenter argued, which was a remark that quickly drew backlash of its own.
Another response took a broader view of the situation: “It’s frustrating to see actions that overshadow the real reasons Pride Month and LGBTQ+ advocacy are so important. Sadly, there are still many who need to understand why this work continues to be necessary. We need to keep pushing for acceptance and equality for everyone. Let’s focus on the progress we can make together. It’s about building a more inclusive future for all.”
Regardless of where people stood in the comment section, the original act sparked a wider conversation, one that likely could have been avoided altogether had the students chosen differently.
