Editorial photo #10057676 Human Interest

Hanover Township New Jersey School District Adopts LGBTQ Students Outing To Parents Policy

Whippany Park High School parent Stephanie Eagan participates in an interview about the controversy. Hanover Township Public Schools in Hanover Township, New Jersey, United States on May 18, 2023. Hanover Township Public Schools adopted a policy requiring school staff to disclose students' sexual orientations and gender identities to parents. New Jersey's Attorney General Matt Platkin filed a civil rights complaint against Hanover Township Public Schools, attempting to block the policy requiring school staff to disclose students' sexual orientations and gender identities to parents. ''Because the policy requires school staff to 'out' LGBTQ+ youth to their parents, it exposes them to severe harms to their safety and mental health,'' Attorney General Matthew Platkin's office wrote in a statement on Wednesday, May 17, 2023. The policy, which the Hanover Township School Board adopted on Tuesday night, May 16, 2023 violates the state's Law Against Discrimination and Department of Education guidance, according to Platkin's office. Platkin's office is also seeking a temporary injunction in Superior Court to block enforcement of the policy while the administrative complaint is adjudicated by the Division on Civil Rights. (Photo by Kyle Mazza/NurPhoto)