Barnegat Mayor Reportedly Rips Teaching LGBTQ History In Schools

BARNEGAT, NJ — Barnegat Mayor Alfonso Cirulli vowed to fight a New Jersey law that brings an LGBTQ curriculum into schools, according to reports. The township's police chief, however, subsequently promised protection to all people under the law.

Cirulli claimed the LGBTQ political movement is "an affront to almighty God" at Tuesday's Township Committee meeting, according to The Asbury Park Press.

Cirulli urged residents to join his fight against legislation signed by Gov. Phil Murphy in February that requires boards of education to include LGBTQ instruction.

The legislation requires schools to adopt instructional materials, that accurately portray political, economic, and social contributions of persons with disabilities and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people.

"It's critical that our classrooms highlight the achievements of LGBTQ people throughout history. Our youth deserve to see how diverse American history truly is — and how they can be a part of it one day, too," Murphy said in February.

Chief Keith Germain said he has been approached by members of the community with concerns and questions regarding statements made at the Township Committee meeting.

"The Barnegat Police Department is an agency committed to our core values which include fairness, empathy and respect," he said. "The members of this agency go out every day with the conscious intent and conviction to protect the constitutional rights of all of the people with whom we come into contact and to instill in them the confidence that we will be there to help them when they need us."

"This commitment is absolute and unwavering, and applies to everyone. As someone who grew up here and has had the privilege of working here for the last 25 years, I know that this town is at its best when we work together and support each other."

The law would take effect in the 2020-21 school year. Cirulli acknowledged that the Township Committee has no power to reverse the law, according to TAPinto.

“As your mayor and a member of this committee, it is my obligation to protect its residents and to keep them informed of laws and situations that will affect them,” he said in thereport. “I believe that the information I will bring out will have serious consequences for families.”

According to Cirulli, polls have shown that 71 percent of adults are Christians and about 2 percent are Jewish, according to TAPinto. He used these figures to support his assertion that teaching the proposed curriculum might conflict with a great number of parents and their religious beliefs — the numbers he cited do not illustrate how many oppose LGBTQ education.

Cirulli's comments were met with mostly silence, but some audience members were quick to denounce his statements, according to The Press.

"I understand that everyone is entitled to their belief and their religious ideas, … but what I have a problem with is when you bring them into a public forum," Briget Nunn, a Barnegat resident and mental health clinician who counsels LGBT youth, said in the Press report. "As public officials … you have to be careful about what message you're sending to these kids I'm counseling, who are already in your schools feeling like they're isolated, alone and not getting the support they need."

The LBGTQ movement has generated support from several Ocean County politicians in recent years. The Ocean County Board of Freeholders passed a resolution last June to declare it as Pride Month in Ocean County. The board said they have "zero tolerance for those with an agenda of hate ... discrimination in any form is intolerable."

"The Ocean County Chosen Board of Freeholders agrees that when we are educated about our differences, we become more knowledgeable and accepting of our diversity as a community," the resolution, which was approved by a unanimous vote. Read more: Toms River, Ocean Freeholders Declare Pride Month Support

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