UNTHINKABLE: How one New Jersey School Board failed its LGBTQ students
The New Jersey State Attorney General is suing a school district after its Board of Education passed a new policy requiring teachers to out their LGBTQ+ students to their parents.
Hanover Township’s board somehow decided to classify a student coming out to a teacher because they don’t feel safe at home as
The policy — passed last Tuesday — compared one of the most important moments in an LGBTQ kid’s life to substance and alcohol use, firearms, and other “unlawful activity.”
Language in the policy dictates when teachers must “immediately, fully and accurately inform a student’s parent(s)” if a student dares feel safe enough to come out to them:
“…whenever such staff member is made aware of, directly or indirectly, any facts or circumstances that may have a material impact on the student’s physical and/or mental health, safety and/or social/emotional well-being,” including a student’s “sexuality,” “sexual orientation,” “transitioning,” and “gender identity or expression.”
The ignorance is astonishing and infuriating and brings great shame to my home state.
Outing someone without consent has been shown to increase acts of self-harm and suicide.
Thankfully, this potentially deadly new rule will not stand with New Jersey’s Attorney General, Matthew J. Platkin.
“We will always stand up for the LGBTQ+ community here in New Jersey and look forward to presenting our arguments in court in this matter,” Platkin said in a press statement.
Platkin joined with the state’s Division on Civil Rights to file an emergency motion in Superior Court to prevent the board from implementing the new policy.
Their complaint argues Hanover Township is violating the state’s Law Against Discrimination because it requires parental notification for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer students but not for their peers.
It also goes against the guidance from the New Jersey Department of Education, which protects students’ confidentiality and privacy.
“We are extremely proud of the contributions LGBTQ+ students make to our classrooms and our communities,” AG Platkin said, “and we remain committed to protecting them from discrimination in our schools.”
As we approach Pride Month, it’s essential to point out that LGBTQ+ Americans are under attack, particularly trans and queer youth. But BIPOC queer and trans women among are the most vulnerable now.
Statement from Attorney General Matthew Platkin on temporary Injunction prohibiting implementation of Hanover Twp. Board of Education Policy. pic.twitter.com/IZnbZDY80s
— Attorney General Matt Platkin (@NewJerseyOAG) May 19, 2023
*THIS IS AN OPINION COLUMN THAT SOLELY REPRESENTS THE OPINIONS OF TARA DUBLIN. HOORAY FOR THE FREE PRESS!*
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