Governor Phil Murphy Signs LGBTQ-Inclusive Curriculum Legislation—Second in the Nation

BOEs required to include and adopt instructional materials that accurately portray persons with disabilities and LGBTQ individuals.

ASBURY PARK, NJ – Today, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed a law requiring Boards of Education to include instruction, and adopt instructional materials, that accurately portray political, economic, and social contributions of persons with disabilities and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals.

This law would require that LGBTQ Americans, as well as Americans with disabilities, are included and recognized for their significant historic contributions to the economic, political, and social development of New Jersey and the United States. Specifically, this legislation would add LGBTQ people and individuals with disabilities to the existing list of underrepresented cultural and ethnic groups, which are covered by current law related to inclusion in textbooks and other instructional materials in schools.

“It’s critical that our classrooms highlight the achievements of LGBTQ people throughout history. Our youth deserve to see how diverse American history truly is—and how they can be a part of it one day, too,” said Executive Director of Garden State Equality Christian Fuscarino. “I’m thankful to Governor Murphy for making New Jersey the second state in the nation to have a law promoting LGBTQ-inclusive curriculum.”

This law would bring classroom materials into alignment with Core Curriculum Content Standards by ensuring that students receive diverse instruction in history and the social sciences, which will cultivate respect towards minority groups, allow students to appreciate differences, and acquire the skills and knowledge needed to function effectively with people of various backgrounds.

“As a former educator and someone who did their doctoral work in the history of sexuality, this bill is particularly close to my heart,” said Policy Director of Garden State Equality Aaron Potenza. “I know the importance of this history to American history as well as the impact of representation
for LGBTQ identified students.”

Garden State Equality gives thanks to coalition partners: GLSEN Central NJ, Shore Area NOW, Make it Better for Youth, and the Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice for their work and collaboration on making this bill become reality. The organization gives additional thanks to the bill’s prime
sponsors, Senators Loretta Weinberg, Teresa Ruiz, Assemblypersons Valerie Vainieri Huttle, Mila Jasey, Joann Downey, and former Assemblypersons Reed Gusciora and Tim Eustace.