The New Jersey Education Association — long one of the most influential political forces in the state and a reliable ally of Democratic candidates — is now reportedly preparing to host an event next month celebrating what it describes as “the vibrant world of drag” for public school educators.
The union, which represents hundreds of thousands of teachers and staff and bankrolls one of New Jersey’s highest-spending political operations, has poured tens of millions of dollars into Democratic campaigns. Just last month, it endorsed Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mikie Sherrill over Republican Jack Ciattarelli in a closely watched contest.
Only days after voters cast their ballots, the NJEA Consortium will hold an event titled “Drag is not a Crime: The Past, Present, and Future of Drag,” scheduled for November 7. The program is part of a union initiative promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion — a set of priorities increasingly embedded in K-12 policy across the state.
Promotional materials frame the evening as an effort to spark new teaching ideas. “Teachers, learning goes beyond classrooms! NJEA presents a dive into the vibrant world of drag,” the organization announced on social media. “Get inspired to challenge norms & ignite creativity in the classroom! Drag is what education is all about.”
That message has drawn a sharply different response from Republicans. Ciattarelli’s campaign pointed to academic struggles in New Jersey’s classrooms as evidence that the union’s attention is misplaced. “Drag might not be a crime, but looking the other way while 80% of third graders in some of New Jersey’s schools can’t read at grade level should be,” a campaign strategist said.
“The NJEA and far-left politicians like Mikie Sherrill could care less about education or teachers,” the statement continued, accusing the union of prioritizing “political power” and pushing an “extreme ‘woke’ agenda on young children,” while opposing parental rights.
The union’s political committee — a 125-member board — unanimously endorsed Sherrill in September. For critics, the upcoming event underscores what they argue is the NJEA’s transformation from a traditional labor organization into a partisan engine for progressive cultural advocacy.
The drag program is not the first of its kind. In 2022, the union hosted “Drag Queen Story Hour” at its annual convention. On its website, the NJEA described the event as a matter of pride, celebrating “LGBTQIA+ representation.” Drag performers led a session titled “LGBTQIA+ Banned Books – Drag Queen Story Hour,” reading children’s titles including “I Am Jazz” and “Prince and Knight,” which the union noted had been removed from shelves “in various U.S. communities.”
The NJEA said such efforts “help kids who are beginning to understand themselves as LGBTQIA+ to see positive representations,” and praised drag performances for showcasing “unabashed pride.”
Educators at the same convention were also invited to participate in a workshop titled “Planning for Change: LGBTQ-Inclusive Lesson Design,” advertised as support for “intentionally LGBTQIA+ inclusive” teaching methods.
For its critics, the programming reflects an institution that has shifted away from its core mission of ensuring classroom success in favor of radical woke ideology. As the gubernatorial race enters its final stretch, the debate over priorities in New Jersey’s public schools — academics or activism — may prove to be one of the election’s defining conflicts.
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