New Jersey is requiring its K-12 schools that offer separate sex ed classes for boys and girls to divide those classes based on gender identity, not biological sex.
The state’s Department of Education on Wednesday passed a series of controversial amendments to its equity requirements, including one that compels schools to separate gender-specific sex ed classes based on a student’s chosen gender identity. While schools are allowed to offer combined sex ed classes, the department acknowledges that some lessons on “human sexuality” are “conducted in separate developmentally appropriate sessions.” Now, a biological male can attend sessions that pertain to biological females, and vice versa.
The change, which passed by just one vote, marks the latest example of New Jersey’s attempts to liberalize public education in the state. Democratic governor Phil Murphy’s administration has in recent months sued four districts that require school officials to inform parents when their child displays a change in his or her gender, a policy that Murphy says effectively “‘outs’ LGBTQ+ students to their parents.”
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