Sherrill says parents should not opt kids out of LGBTQ curriculum in schools
Morris Plains, NJ – Speaking on video in a resurfaced clip reposted Wednesday on X, Rep. Mikie Sherrill said she believes LGBTQ education should be taught in public schools without offering parents the option to opt their children out of the curriculum.
In the clip, which runs under 40 seconds, the New Jersey Democrat, who represents the state’s 11th Congressional District, says while parents can currently excuse students from sex education or health classes, LGBTQ instruction should be treated differently.
“I would push an LGBTQ education into our schools,” Sherrill said in the video, adding, “This is not an area where they should be opting out, because this is an area of understanding the background of people throughout our nation.”
Sherrill, a former Navy pilot and federal prosecutor, referenced military education in her remarks, suggesting that LGBTQ history is being overlooked. “We see, for example, at the Naval Academy, an erasure of history,” she said.
The comments were quickly picked up on social media, sparking discussion over the rights of parents in shaping what their children learn in school. While Sherrill acknowledged in the video that “parents have the right to oversee their children’s education,” she drew a clear line regarding LGBTQ-related topics, saying such instruction is essential to understanding national history.
Sherrill’s stance aligns with her broader legislative record on LGBTQ issues. Last July, she condemned Republican efforts to block President Biden’s revised Title IX rules, which expanded protections for LGBTQ students and survivors of sexual misconduct.
“For more than 50 years, Title IX has opened doors and allowed women to break barriers,” she said at the time. “Now, we are working to live up to the spirit of Title IX to support survivors of sexual assault, ensure that women can thrive on campus, and protect LGBTQ students.”
Under the updated regulations, schools must address harassment occurring off-campus and are now required to recognize discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation under Title IX protections.
Sherrill has received backing from advocacy groups such as Garden State Equality, which cite her support for federal non-discrimination protections, access to gender-affirming care, and marriage equality.
The resurfaced video comes as cultural debates surrounding curriculum choices in public schools continue to intensify ahead of the upcoming election cycle.
—
Key Points
- Mikie Sherrill said parents should not be able to opt kids out of LGBTQ curriculum in schools
- The remarks were made in a resurfaced video reposted Wednesday on social media
- Sherrill has supported expanded Title IX protections for LGBTQ students and survivors of sexual misconduct
A resurfaced video shows Rep. Mikie Sherrill saying LGBTQ education should be mandatory in schools, regardless of parental objection.