Watch CBS News

Police Investigate Hate Crime Against Lesbian Gym Teacher In Alamo

ALAMO (KCBS) - A hate crime targeting a lesbian elementary school teacher in Alamo is being taken very seriously, according to school district officials.

Authorities say that over the winter break, someone scrawled a sexually offensive and vulgar message on a storage shed at Rancho Romero Elementary School in Alamo. It was aimed at P.E. instructor BJ Byrd, who is a lesbian.

KCBS' Dave Padilla Reports:

San Ramon Valley School District spokesman Terry Koehne said the district is working with police. "The principal with the school is continuing to do her own investigation into who was responsible," said Koehne.

The incident has been categorized as a hate crime by law enforcement officers.

"The teacher has been contacted on numerous occasions by district personnel, and has received numerous communications from the principal as well," said Koehne.

The anti-gay graffiti was discovered during the winter break. Byrd told the Contra Costa Times, she "does not talk about her sexuality with her students, but does not hide it."

(© 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.