On Wednesday, two students at Centennial High School in Circle Pines alleged they were the victims of threatening behavior after coming out as LGBT in the last few months. Both praise the school district’s handling of the incidents.

Ryan Eichenauer said he received two threatening letters, typewritten and left on his desk, over the last few weeks after coming out on social media. School authorities sent them to local police who are investigating, according to Fox 9 which broke the story on Wednesday.

The second letter, which Eichenauer shared on social media, states in part:

“Ryan, I see there are many others who also want you dead. Good. And it’s not just the two of us who have decided to speak up. It’s everyone. […] like you don’t deserve to live in this world. Innocent people die every day, but the scum of the earth like you gets to live? […] that. That is about to change. No one likes the fact that you are alive. No one likes the way you show your sexuality. You are a […] sinner. Someone should do something about it…I will. I am not a coward. I protect the house of god from […] like you.”

Eichenauer was “a little scared,” he told FOX 9. “The first threat I cried a lot. A lot of tears and emotions. Even though that was less threatening. Then this one came along. Is this what I am going to get forever, from now on?” Eichenauer said.

News of the letters quickly spread through social media on Wednesday, prompting some Twin Cities celebrities to start the #IGotRyansBack hashtag.

Applauding courage of student @RyanEichenauer who's facing death threats after coming out w/courage. #IGotRyansBack pic.twitter.com/AVaXre0Cin

— Jason Matheson (@jasonmatheson) February 5, 2014

The threatening letters came after Eichenauer posted a video of himself coming out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgxIfqzqV_4#t=25

In the video, Eichenauer states that he’s attracted to men and women. “I don’t like labels,” he said. “I have and will always have an attraction to girls…at first I wasn’t comfortable with the thought of dating guys.”

Centennial High School sent a letter to parents and staff on Wednesday explaining the situation:

Centennial Parents and Staff,
I wanted to reach out to the Centennial community and give you an update on a situation that occurred yesterday at Centennial High School. A student received an anonymous, personal, threatening letter. The Blaine Police Department was notified immediately, and the District and law enforcement are investigating the situation.
Centennial takes any threat made to a student seriously and does not tolerate this behavior. Our goal is to be an accepting and respectable environment for all. Please know ensuring the safety of our students is our top priority.
If any student, parent or staff has questions, see your school counselor or administrator.
Sincerely,
Brian Dietz
Superintendent of Schools

Eichenauer has taken to social media to comment about the situation and his feelings toward the school.

It isn't Centennial's fault for any of this. In fact I think our school is pretty neat…the people…well, thats a different story…

— Lila Vera (@queenlilavera) February 6, 2014

But, he’s been the target of people in the area who think it may be a hoax, a claim that he has vehemently denied.

https://twitter.com/RyanEichenauer/status/431126101914435585

On Facebook, he wrote:

While some in the community questioned Eichenauer’s authenticity Wednesday afternoon, another student came forward Wednesday evening saying he’d had a similar experience.

Noah Ratgen, an 8th grader at Centennial, told Fox 9 that he came out on social media last fall and found the words “God hates fags” written on his family’s driveway.

“It hurt — just like calling someone fat or ugly,” Ratgen told Fox 9 News. “There’s no reason to do it at all. I just don’t understand why we’re such a big problem.”

The incident at the Ratgens has been filed as a hate crime.

The Ratgens also praised Centennial for their swift action.