Old Bridge had an unexpected win in November when the school board voted to affirm Policy 5756, which offers protections for transgender youth, without a motion being on the table to repeal or revise the policy.  Unfortunately the new year brought with it the installation of new members to the Old Bridge BOE, one of whom ran on a platform of repealing the policy.  At the reorganization meeting, there were rumblings about the policy during the public discussion forum. Thus we are anticipating a motion will be brought to repeal 5756 at the next meeting and/or the subsequent meeting on January 16.  We have no doubt there will be much public discussion on the subject at the meetings.

We are hoping you, and/or congregants, can attend and speak on behalf of transgender students on the 9th, as well as possibly  on the 16th if needed.  Please feel free to invite other like-minded clergy of all faiths to attend as well.  We heard from so many members of the community last time who said how meaningful it was  to hear supportive clergy speak; some said it was the first time they heard religious leaders speak positively about the LGBTQ community.  We believe hearing from supportive clergy also helped some members of the Board experience a change of heart in November.

For more information: Louise Walpin, Director of Advocacy and Organizing,
SWEEP NJ.  Contact admin@uufaithaction.org for Louise’s contact information.