NIU’s Judicial Office had not filed charges by Monday for an inflammatory sign placed in a residence hall window last week.

However, the computer-printed sign—reading “kill a faggot” and displayed in a fourth floor window of Neptune Hall East—has prompted both a continuing investigation and infuriated members of NIU’s gay community.

David Huggins, co-president of the NIU Gay/Lesbian Union, said the message, as with any threat of death or violence, should be considered a violation of NIU’s Judicial Code barring harassment.

“This attitude of violence toward a minority group based on sexual orientation should be considered the same as racism or sexism,” he said.

Huggins said he attributes the incident, which took place in the middle of Gay Awareness Week, to ignorance.

“It’s not surprising to see something like that when you see the amount of ignorance on this campus toward any minority group,” Huggins said.

“They’re afraid of what gay people are. What they don’t realize is that there are gay people all around them. People that they know and like,” Huggins said, adding at least one in 10 students is homosexual.

Assistant Judicial Officer Terry Jones said Monday the investigation is continuing.

“We’re proceeding delicately because it’s a sensitive issue. If and when charges are filed, we want to make sure they were arrived at in a responsible manner,” Jones said.