Garden State Equality Action Fund strongly condemns the recent ad campaign launched by Republican Jack Ciattarelli targeting Representative Mikie Sherrill’s support for LGBTQ+-inclusive lessons and resources. The ad is a desperate attempt to revive Jack’s long record of attacking LGBTQ+ New Jerseyans–built on blatant misinformation and the same tired, debunked tropes we’ve heard for years.

Ciattarelli’s campaign resounds with messaging that stigmatizes LGBTQ+ school curricula, including misleading references to “teaching sodomy in elementary school.” He has pledged to “roll back the LGBTQ+ curriculum,” despite New Jersey’s long-standing requirement that schools teach LGBTQ+-inclusive, which passed the New Jersey legislature with bipartisan majority vote in 2019.

This latest assault comes on the heels of an already well-established record:

• Voting against marriage equality and asserting that civil unions were “adequate” substitutes.
• Opposing gender marker updates on identity documents.
• Making inflammatory and inaccurate statements regarding transgender and LGBTQ+ people, contributing to harmful rhetoric in public discourse.

In contrast, Rep. Mikie Sherrill has built a pro-LGBTQ+ record — including votes for marriage equality, federal non-discrimination protections, and access to gender-affirming care.

Brielle Winslow-Majette (she/her), Deputy Director of Garden State Equality, said:

“Once again, Jack Ciattarelli is resorting to fear-mongering and misinformation rather than standing up for the full dignity of LGBTQ+ New Jerseyans. His history of voting against marriage equality, opposing basic protections for trans youth, and calling out LGBTQ+ curricula as ‘sodomy’ demonstrates a willingness to roll back decades of progress. New Jersey deserves leaders who uplift children — not weaponize our identities for political gain. (Hate had no place here in the garden state)”

Christian Fuscarino (he/him), Executive Director of Garden State Equality, added:

“Jack Ciattarelli is running the Trump playbook by stoking fear, sowing division, and trying to erase LGBTQ+ historical figures from our classrooms. The truth is inclusive lessons save lives. Studies show they cut down bullying and make every student safer. While Ciattarelli clings to politics of hate, we’re organizing, fighting back, and standing with Rep. Sherrill and every family that wants their kids to learn acceptance, history, and the full story of America.”