2 NJ Republicans Intervene On Side Of Middletown In Transgender Debate

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — Two New Jersey Republican lawmakers have now filed as "intervenor" status on behalf of the four school districts that were sued by the state of New Jersey for their transgender rules.

The state Senators are Doug Steinhardt (LD-23), a Republican who represents Hunterdon and Warren counties, and Michael Testa, Jr. (LD-01), a Republican from Vineland in South Jersey.

On Thursday, they filed motions to intervene on behalf of not just Middletown, but all four school districts that were sued by the Attorney General this year: Hanover, Manalapan-Englishtown, Marlboro and Middletown.

The elected school boards in all four of those towns passed policies that require teachers tell parents if their child formally wants to change their gender identity, pronouns, name, use different bathrooms, or change the gender of teams they play in. The AG says the school districts are "outing" LGBTQIA+ students by requiring teachers tell their parents.

In all the cases so far, New Jersey judges sided with the state, and all four districts have been blocked from implementing their policies. Just last Friday, a judge approved an injunction against Middletown, Marlboro and Manalapan-Englishtown districts.

Steinhardt and Testa, who are both lawyers, filed an amicus brief Thursday in support of the districts. They are asking that they be included if there is any court-ordered mediation or hearings in the future.

"Senators Testa and Steinhardt should be permitted to intervene as amicus curiae because this matter involves a monumental issue of public concern, the senators’ participation will assist in the resolution of that issue," read their amicus brief. "At stake in this litigation are the collective rights of all New Jersey parents to direct their children’s upbringing, as well as to counsel their children on intimate personal matters."

"Make no mistake, the state is seeking to usurp the role of parents," their amicus brief continued. "The Senators will assist this tribunal by providing the perspective of hundreds of thousands of ordinary New Jerseyans, and by reminding the panel of this nation’s long history of respecting the American family."

“I’m entering this fight because my family and thousands of my constituents were shocked and appalled when the state launched this attack on the fundamental right of parents to raise their kids,” said state Sen. Steinhardt. “My district office has been inundated with calls from outraged constituents who fear for their family’s future in New Jersey."

"Here, the state's argument contends that it is perfectly appropriate for the state to have a secret with a child which excludes the child's parents," said Testa. "Traditionally, this is called ‘grooming.'"

A spokesman for NJ Attorney General Matt Platkin and Deputy Director of the NJ Division on Civil Rights Rosemary DiSavino declined to comment on the Senators' remarks.

Judge Rules Middletown Cannot Enact Trans Student Policy (last Saturday, Aug. 19)