Officials at Bartram Trail High School in St. Johns County, Florida have announced the identification of seven male students in connection with a homophobic incident last week. Video of students defacing the Pride Flag sparked wide outrage after going viral on social media.
The St. Augustine Record reports that the district has not made public the identity of the seven students in question, nor have officials revealed the disciplinary action they might face. A spokesperson for the school had previously noted that the infractions could carry punishments ranging from school suspension to placement in an alternative education program.
Related: WATCH: Florida high schoolers harass gay-straight alliance, vandalize pride flag
Christina Langston, a spokesperson for the school, added that she did not know if any of the students would face criminal prosecution–another possibility as well.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
“This behavior is not acceptable and is not indicative of the culture and students at BTHS,” the district said in a statement earlier this week. “It is very disappointing that these students handled themselves in this way.”
Viral video of the incident shows the students in question harassing members of the school’s Gay-Straight Alliance, shouting homophobic and transphobic slurs, as well as saying “There’s only two genders” and “Y’all have a mental illness.” The same video shows students stomping on the Pride Flag, as well as wielding homemade Confederate Flags with they wave at students and the camera.
Parents within the district reacted with horror to the video, with several calling it a hate crime.
JRamonMc
The future of the republican party!
WillParkinson
Future? It’s been this way for a while now.
Openminded
If the Democrats think their only threats and enemies are in the Republican parties, you are in for a rude awakening. One’s political affiliation does not automatically make them a homophobe or any other type of negatively behaving person. I won’t deny there are many in the radical Conservative groups, but it hardly defines the group as a whole. To make statements such as you do, you put yourself in the same group of people who claim “all gays will burn in hell”, and “all black people are lazy thieves. It’s just not an accurate, nor intelligent statement to make. I believe in everyone’s freedom of speech, but it’s getting a little tiring to see these constant troll responses to stories that are not even presented in a political light.
storm45701
Openminded: the vast majority of anti-gay, racist, sexist neanderthals would naturally identify with the right wing politically. That’s not to say every Republican or conservative is that way; but they do empower those that have those beliefs or find a way to self-servingly look beyond the hatred.
Cam
@Openminded
Same old right wing roll account desperately deflecting from the hate and bigotry preached by the GOP.
GayEGO
Y’all homophobics are the ones who are mentally ill, I knew one who hated himself so much he burned himself up in his house!
Openminded
Stupid is as stupid does. Any kid(s) today who are not aware that basically everything they do is being captured on video is/are the kids who do this kind of stupid stuff. Sad thing is, these kids are your basic bullies that have been in society forever, yet parents, nor the system has really EVER done anything to stop them. We have to quit slapping offenders on the wrist and start seriously punishing bully behavior. These kids probably learned much of their hatred at home from a previous adolescent bully. Education first and serious punishment for those who refuse to learn is the only answer to the base problem.
Karlis
I’m surprised in this day and age that apparently it didn’t occur to any of the jackasses who were harassing the LGBTQ kids that someone was filming them, that the film would end up on the Internet about five minutes later, and that the whole world would be shocked by the misbehavior of young men who should have known better. Just a thought: Don’t be a jackass, and then you won’t have to worry about it.
storm45701
I’m sure these “fine young men” come from “good families” and tearfully “regret” their indiscretion and “don’t really hate anyone”. We all know exactly what the response will be and that they’ll get a slap on the wrist.
Gadfeal
Even though ignoramuses are such because they don’t want to learn science, to continue in school, the PARENTS should be obliged to be educated in the American Psychiatric Association guidelines and opinion on those issues, AND any legislation that apply. In addition, their children would also have to become cognizant of the facts, and sit a test of basic comprehension.
Finally, they should be made to do community service in a gay youth, or, if none are readily around, any youth in distress program.