Middletown BOE takes a stand by approving controversial transgender policy
"Offended to the core" says Gov. Murphy, a Middletown resident while AG Platkin "reviewing" policy
Despite near total-opposition by the public, Middletown’s Board of Education passed a parental notification policy that LGBTQ+ activists say effectively “outs” transgender students. Board member Deborah Wright was the lone “no” vote.
Governor Phil Murphy slammed his hometown board, stating:
“ I don't like it, I don't think this is where we are as a state. We're living in this us versus moment in our country. Invariably, communities like the trans community are the big losers. They're the ones that get singled out, they're the ones that get behind the eight ball and it just offends me at the core.”
Among a standing-room only crowd and an estimated 250-plus protesters outside chanting “let us in,” residents and supported came from all over to voice their concerns on Policy 5756.
The newly-adopted policy requires teachers to notify parents should their child:
seek to publicly be known by a different name or pronoun;
seeks to use a different bathroom or locker room than their birth gender, or;
if they desire to play on a different sports team.
Those opposed to the measure cited high suicide rates among trans youth and that such a policy could lead to students engaging in self-harm in response to unsupportive parents.
“Let it go on the record that each of you are aware that LGBTQ youth are at the highest risk of suicide,” said one mother who then name-dropped the Board’s proponents, boldly stating that they will” have blood on [their] hands.”
While five supporters of the Board’s vote spoke, they argued in defense of their rights as parents, most of whom expressed support for their children, but not letting school teachers or administrators be the lone arbiter.
“[it] is not okay to assume that every parent cannot handle this conversation,” said one mother. “If the child is not ready to talk to their parents as I’m hearing time and time again for the last hour, the school can facilitate that conversation—that conversation that is meant to be had with the child and the parents.” (Video Below)
Others from around Monmouth County appeared in opposition to the Board. Neptune City Councilwoman Pamela Renee, sporting a Trinity Church shirt, thanking the Board for their service to the community and recognizing that her remarks would be an uphill battle. Despite this, she told the board that “there have bene instances where’s [she’s] changed her mind as she sat on the dais” based on the public comment period.
Faith leaders also came out against the measure and in support of the LGBTQ community. Rev. Debbie Cook of All Saints Memorial Church in Navesink took to the dais to remind the Board of their faith tradition’s baptismal covenant: “to strive for justice and peace for all people and respect the dignity of every human being.” Rev. Micah Cronin of St. George’s Episcopal Church in Rumson, citing himself as “once a transgender youth,” assured opponents of 5756 of God’s love for them and they are a “prayed for [and] cared for.” Members of Trinity Church of Asbury Park also attended.
This was in contrast to Gregory Quinlan, a former Human Rights Campaign executive turned minister and self-professed “ex-gay man” who runs the Garden State Center for Families.
“[these are] imagined identities—they’re not real,” lamented Quinlan. “Nobody is born gay. Nobody is born lesbian. Nobody is ‘born in the wrong body’. Nobody”
A representative from the notional group “Gays Against Groomers” also spoke. The group, a 501(c)4 organization of gays and lesbians who are “against the sexualization, indoctrination and medicalization of children under the guise of LGBTQIA+,” supplied the representative with a prepared statement taking aim at Attorney General Matt Platkin’s legal action against Hanover Township’s board.
“We are disgusted that [AG Platkin] filed a motion to stop a local school board from protecting parent’s rights. Every parent has the right to know what’s going on with their children,” read the opening salvo. (Video Below)
After the meeting concluded, chants of “vote them out” broke out as attendees made their way to their cars with one protestor calling Middletown Police “nazis,” “murderers,” and “pigs” for making them wait outside despite the Fire Marshall stating earlier that the event was at capacity.
Both townships of Manalapan and Marlboro boards also passed a similar resolution the same evening. Protestors plan to be present at the Colts Neck Board of Education meeting on June 28th as they prepare to vote on a similar measure in its second reading. A spokesperson for Attorney General Matt Platkin said they are “carefully reviewing the policies regarding parental notification enacted last night by the Middletown, Marlboro and Manalapan-Englishtown Boards of Education.”
Tara Oliver, a public information officer for the Attorney general said that the office is “firmly committed to taking swift action in response to any policy that violates that prohibition.”
One Instagram user “@saygaynj” who has been outspoken about New Jersey boards of education voting against LGBTQ students posted stated Middletown students are “already organizing for every kid to come out as trans” on the first day of school for the 2023-24. (Video Below)
(WARNING: Foul language)