Aug. 14 Protest In Woodbridge Against New Sex Education Mandates

WOODBRIDGE, NJ — There will be a rally next Sunday, Aug. 14 in Woodbridge of parents and teachers protesting the new sex education guidelines that will start being taught in New Jersey public schools this fall.

These are the new sex education mandates New Jersey public schools are required to start teaching in the 2022-23 school year, at the behest of Gov. Phil Murphy and acting Education Commissioner Angelica Allen-McMillan. The 66-page curriculum guide from the DOE includes talking about masturbation and gender identity to elementary students, and talking about pregnancy signs and pregnancy options, including abortion, by the end of eighth grade.

Murphy, who pushed for the curriculum, among other supporters, says the topics are current and in line with what children and teens are exposed to already outside the classroom. Some parents, mostly in conservative circles, say the curriculum requirements are extreme.

"The state of NJ thinks that school staff should be among the 'trusted adults' with whom your children can discuss romantic and sexual feelings, gender identity, sexual behavior, mental health issues, personal and other confidential family matters. Whose children are they anyway?!" read a flyer for the event.

The rally is organized by a group called No Left Turn In Education, led by Elana Fishbein, a Pennsylvania mom fighting similar sex education mandates in that state, and a co-organized by Paul Lund. Lund is a Woodbridge resident and teaches public high school in Washington Twp.

In the past, Lund has run as a Republican for Woodbridge town council, school board and once for a state Senate seat representing Middlesex County.

This week the Middletown school district in Monmouth County announced it will be one of the first districts in the state to have parents "opt in" to the new sex education curriculum.

Other school districts are giving students the chance to "opt out" of the new sex education classes, but Middletown is one of the first school districts in the state to require parents "opt in." That means Middletown parents will be told in advance what will be taught and must give their child permission to attend that day's lesson.

Lund said he wished Woodbridge schools would do the same; so far, the Woodbridge school board has given no indication of doing so.

The rally will be held at 2 p.m. Aug. 14 in the Woodbridge municipal complex parking lot, One Main Street.

Related: Middletown Will Require Students To 'Opt In' To Sex Ed. Classes (Aug. 1)