NJ School Employee Fired For LGBTQ+ Activism, Advocates Say

PISCATAWAY, NJ - A New Jersey school psychologist has been fired after organizing a Day of Silence, where students pledge silence symbolizing the bullying and silencing of LGBTQ+ students, teachers and students said.

T. Schor Middle School Psychologist Dr. Cassia Mosdell was denied tenure this year after organizing the Day of Silence, according to students, teachers and parents who met Thursday night to speak against the school board’s decision. Mosdell worked at the school for four years, making her eligible for tenure, News12 reported.

"I feel the district is sending the wrong message to our youth - that they should not advocate on these issues or speak out. I'm simply not willing to let that stand,” Mosdell said in a partial statement. News12 reports that she did not attend the board meeting due to being sick with COVID-19.

Activists, including those from the North Jersey DSA, lined up in front of the school on Thursday night to protest Mosdell’s pending removal.

“This was not expected in any way, and it shouldn’t be,” activist Sherry Wolf told News12. “We see what’s going on in Florida, ‘Don’t Say Gay’ there – well, this is going to come to Piscataway now?”

A Change.org petition that surfaced this week urging the district to rethink their decision has garnered over 400 signatures as of Friday morning, citing Mosdell’s firing due to her “advocating for LGBTQ students and LGBTQ-inclusive curriculum.”

“Dr. Mosdell has been a trusted advisor to LGBTQ youth and allies for four years,” the petition reads. “Dr. Mosdell has consistently done outstanding work in our schools. She has dedicated more than 20 years to supporting students and young children. Given the attacks on LGBTQ youth across the country, now more than ever, students need to see that they and their allies are valued by our school community.”