Overview
- The New Jersey Education Association scheduled a Nov. 7 session titled “Drag is not a Crime: The Past, Present, and Future of Drag” during its Nov. 6–7 convention.
- The 200,000‑member union’s convention materials include a drag‑themed booth and a theme listing equity and justice before learning, according to posted schedules.
- The session is organized by the NJEA Consortium, which promotes DEI‑focused programming, and follows prior drag programming at the 2022 convention.
- The NJEA’s PAC Operating Committee unanimously endorsed Democrat Mikie Sherrill for governor in September, and her campaign did not respond to requests for comment on the event.
- Jack Ciattarelli’s campaign and Republican state Rep. Dawn Fantasia criticized the union’s focus, pointing to reading proficiency concerns and arguing the union elevates activism over academics.