The administration of Governor Phil Murphy is issuing a stern warning to school districts regarding the state's LGBTQ anti-discrimination policy and urging students and parents to report any violations.
Attorney General Matt Platkin and acting Education Commissioner Angelica Allen-McMillen jointly released a statement cautioning schools against disregarding state standards on inclusive curriculum and emphasizing the importance of adhering to policies that protect LGBTQ students. "In New Jersey, the law is unequivocal," the statement asserts. "The New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD) prohibits schools from implementing policies or practices that discriminate against students or staff based on their race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other protected characteristics, regardless of whether such discrimination is intentional. The LAD also forbids policies or practices that foster a hostile environment based on any protected characteristic."
This warning comes in response to lawsuits filed by Attorney General Platkin against the Manalapan-Englishtown and Marlboro School Districts, which introduced policies requiring parental notification in cases where a student changes their gender identity at school.
"While upholding the anti-discrimination principles of the LAD," Platkin and Allen-McMillen caution, "some school boards and legislators in New Jersey and across the nation have recently proposed measures to limit classroom discussions and staff training related to race, racism, gender, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation."
Specifically, New Jersey policy prohibits the initiation of parental notification, a provision that has sparked anger among certain parents. The lawsuits are seen as a clash over parental rights, although the joint statement does not directly address this contentious aspect of the policy.
While strongly urging school districts to refrain from adopting policies that violate the LAD, the Murphy administration also encourages students, parents, and others to report instances of non-compliance by educational institutions. "The Division on Civil Rights (DCR) and the Department of Education (DOE) encourage students, caregivers, community members, staff, and school board members to promptly report evidence of discrimination, bias-based harassment, or retaliation to the DCR," the statement declares.
To bring attention to a district that has implemented or is contemplating a discriminatory policy, individuals are invited to email schooldiscrimination@njcivilrights.gov. For more information or to file a complaint, please visit NJCivilRights.gov or call 1.833.NJDCR4U. The DCR enforces the LAD, which safeguards all individuals in New Jersey from discrimination.
