Teacher’s union in New Jersey supports Sherrill to organize drag queen event post-election

New Jersey Teachers Union Plans Drag Event Post-Election

The New Jersey Education Association (NJEA), a prominent teachers union supporting Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill in the upcoming gubernatorial race, is organizing a celebration of “the vibrant world of drag” shortly after next month’s election.

This event, titled “Drugs Are Not a Crime: Drugs Past, Present and Future,” will be part of the NJEA’s annual conference in Atlantic City, which draws around 200,000 members. The union emphasizes that “fairness” and “justice” extend beyond traditional learning.

The NJEA Consortium, which focuses on enhancing diversity and representation in educational curriculums, includes drag events on its agenda for the weekend. It’s aimed to attract thousands of educators from New Jersey and beyond.

The event is set to explore the cultural significance and historical context of drag, highlighting its role in art, resistance, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights and social justice.

Other programs at the conference will touch on themes such as equity in schools and the complexities surrounding teaching about Palestine.

As the race heats up, the competition between Sherrill and Republican Jack Ciattarelli has become notably closer, as the NJEA’s PAC Steering Committee, consisting of all 125 members, officially endorsed Sherrill.

In a statement, a strategist for Ciattarelli pointed out serious educational challenges in New Jersey, suggesting that while drugs may not be criminalized, the fact that a significant number of third graders struggle to read shouldn’t be overlooked.

The statement continued, criticizing both the NJEA and Sherrill for their priorities, hinting that the union’s main focus seems to be political influence rather than supporting educational needs.

Polling indicates that Sherrill currently holds a slight advantage over Ciattarelli, leading by approximately 5 points.

There’s a strong push from Ciattarelli’s camp to refocus priorities on education, suggesting that parental involvement would be prioritized under his leadership.

Meanwhile, Sherrill’s campaign hasn’t provided comments on these recent developments.

Led by Sean Spiller, who previously ran for governor, the NJEA has previously promoted events highlighting diverse cultural topics, including a drag queen story hour at last year’s conference, which featured discussions and readings aimed at engaging the audience on LGBTQIA+ issues.