By Sarah Fertsch
Staff Writer
A decision by the Ocean City Board of Education to adopt a controversial state sex education and gender identity curriculum has prompted protests, a petition and a call to pass a Parents’ Bill of Rights in New Jersey.
The petition posted on Change.org titled “LGBTQ students belong at OCHS,” denounces a Sept. 8 protest rally at Mark Soifer Park as unwelcoming and hateful toward LGBTQ students.
The petitioner states that Rev. Gregory Quinlan, the main speaker at the protest, made it clear that homosexuality is viewed as “unnatural and dangerous” in Ocean City.
Created by “OC Alumni,” it states that protesters see LGBTQ identifying people as dangerous, ugly and wrong. It has more than 3,800 signatures so far.
“Enough,” the petition states. “As a community, Ocean City must come together and unequivocally declare queer kids belong here.”
The controversy can be traced to a 2020 decision by the New Jersey Board of Education, amending the health curriculum for all public school classrooms. The new curriculum teaches students starting in kindergarten about gender identity, consent, sexual orientation, and eventually, sex itself and its many forms.
On Aug. 23, the Ocean City Board of Education voted 6-5 to adopt the new curriculum for the district’s three schools.
On Sept. 8, the issue came before City Council, where the governing body voted unanimously to support the Parents Bill of Rights Act, a bill now under consideration intended to give parents more information about the curriculum being developed for their children and more ability to opt out of lessons that they find objectionable.
Ocean City Councilman Tom Rotundi, who spoke at the Aug. 23 school board hearing, shared his thoughts with Shore Local News.
“I don’t have a problem with the curriculum, but as a parent, I worry that my children might be too young to learn about these tough topics,” Rotundi said. “But I want to make it clear that our government, which runs these schools, was designed to be inclusive for everyone. So if a kid feels more understood, that is a good thing.”
The councilman praised Superintendent of Schools Matthew Friedman for managing both sides of the issue and caring for the student body as a whole.
“The school board needs to be as transparent as possible so they can represent all people fairly,” said Rotundi. “It makes me sad that hateful people have entered the conversation and made kids feel victimized.”
Rotundi was alluding to Pastor Jay Reimer, president of the Ocean City Tabernacle, who made a plea to the school board earlier this summer objecting to the new health curriculum. It includes controversial content such as gender dysphoria, abortion as a viable option for someone who doesn’t want to be pregnant, and sex education with graphic descriptions.
Testimony by Reimer as well as statements by concerned parents played a role in the decision by council to back the Parents’ Bill of Rights. In his remarks, he said Ocean City is a “conservative community” and families of similar values would be drawn to the district, and their taxes would increase funds available to schools.
The author of the petition cites Rev. Gregory Quinlan, who spoke at the rally in support of the Parent’s Bill of Rights, and made statements degrading people who do not consider themselves heterosexual.
“It was Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve,” states the petition quoting Quinlan.
The heated rhetoric surrounding the issue makes some students feel out of place, hurt, and afraid.
A sophomore at OCHS who did not want to include her name told Shore Local News that she feels isolated and hated as a closeted lesbian.
“Only my really close friends know about my orientation, and it really hurts when conservatives, particularly Christians, make hurtful comments about people like me,” she said. “Ocean City doesn’t feel like a safe place to be who I am, openly.”
On the subject of health curriculum, the sophomore confessed that the sex education answers questions for her that she has been too afraid to ask.
“My parents are really involved in the church, and I know that they don’t want me to learn about gender identity and non-penetrative forms of sex. I can’t even tell them that I need it,” the sophomore said. “Please, please, to anyone out there, think about closeted kids like me. We deserve to know the truth in a healthy way.”
Nathaniel Ginet, a 17-year-old senior who attends Ocean City High School, is the founder/president of Prism, the gay/straight alliance club at the school. On the rally, he said, “It hurts me to my core that people hate me just for existing. All we (referring to the LGBTQ community) want is to be accepted or even tolerated, and their hatred makes us feel unsafe.”
Ginet explained that Prism was approved by the school board at the end of last year, allowing the club to host events like paint nights and mini pride parades. He hopes that the club will create a safe space for students who feel isolated or want to learn more about gender issues. He wants to set an example in the community of love, support and compassion.
When asked about the Parents’ Bill of Rights, Ginet said, “It can be used as a means to keep kids ignorant. I understand that parents may want to protect younger children, but by middle school, kids develop their own voice. They deserve to know the truth about pregnancy options, sex safety, and gender identity.”
Nate’s mom, Pam Ginet, said it’s alright to defend your child and stand up for what you believe, “but when you spew hate against children, that’s not okay.
“They say that it’s under the umbrella of free speech, but making hurtful comments and spreading lies shouldn’t be tolerated.”
Ginet is proud of her son for standing up for himself and others in the face of bullies. She worries about her son’s safety in Ocean City. The mother has become one of the founding members of We Belong Cape May County, a parent-teacher-community organization in support of students who identify as LGBTQ.
On the subject of the Parents’ Bill of Rights, she says, “None of us know what the curriculum actually includes, and I believe some of the rumors around it are over-exaggerated. If there is a problem, we can address it when we identify it, but for now, we should give our education system a chance.”
Friedman, the Ocean City School District superintendent who was sworn in this past July, said in a press statement that the district considers local sensibilities and the new curriculum allows parents to make decisions for their children. He will be holding community meetings to discuss specifics with parents, students and teachers.
Last school year, the Ocean City School District faced allegations of bullying and abuse at the high school, including accusations of bullying against gay students. District officials said at the time that the district reached out to police to review the online petition that raised the concerns, which also included allegations of sexual assault.
A “Welcoming Walk” has been planned for 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 18, at the corner of 5th Street and the Boardwalk in support of the LGBTQ students, alumni and the community. The event will include a peaceful walk around the school followed by a picnic to discuss future events. Organizers ask that participants wear a solid-colored shirt to represent the gay pride flag.
If you or someone you know feels victimized because of your sexual orientation or gender identity, reach out for help at thetrevorproject.org for mental health support.
