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Transgender students in one New Jersey school district have lost a district policy governing the use of their names and pronouns at school and when parents are informed about their gender identity.
The School District of the Chathams board approved a settlement on October 12 in a lawsuit brought by Moms for Liberty, a conservative advocacy group the Southern Poverty Law Center classifies as an antigovernment extremist organization. The group sued the district over the policy in August.
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Adopted in January 2024, the policy let students choose the names and pronouns they use at school and gave school counselors a role in deciding whether, and to what extent, parents would be involved.
Under the settlement, the district agreed not to readopt the policy or a derivative of it, according to the Thomas More Society, the conservative law firm representing Moms for Liberty. The firm said the board approved the agreement 7-0 and that any future policy the state adopts or requires must comply with U.S. Supreme Court precedent.
Related: New Jersey shields abortion and gender-affirming care from out-of-state investigations
The dispute reflects a broader campaign by Moms for Liberty against school policies addressing LGBTQ+ rights, diversity and inclusion, and vaccination requirements. The Thomas More Society is also known for its focus on “culture war” issues.
Civil rights organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey and Garden State Equality, have argued that outing LGBTQ+ students without their permission can put them at risk of abuse or homelessness, according to NJ.com.
The School District of the Chathams oversees public schools in Chatham Borough and Chatham Township, in Morris County, about 30 miles west of New York City. Its website says it serves about 3,600 students.
