Guest Commentary:
Targeting a small group of vulnerable kids helps no one — and harms us all
As the parent of two teenagers, a daughter and a son who happens to be trans, this election feels deeply personal. It’s an attack on my children’s safety and dignity.
Targeting the trans community, especially trans youth, doesn’t make life better for anyone. What it does is single out one of our smallest, most vulnerable groups — children who already face higher rates of bullying, anxiety, and depression.
When gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli promises to roll back existing protections for trans youth, he’s threatening the foundation that allows trans youth to thrive, targeting Policy 5756 and access to gender-affirming care. Policy 5756 empowers students to come out on their own terms and prevents schools from “outing” a child before they are ready. It doesn’t infringe on parental rights; it protects students who may not have a supportive environment at home. The policy also enables schools to work with students on communicating with their parents in a safe and constructive way.
Repealing that protection would dismantle a vital safety net. According to The Trevor Project’s 2024 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health, nearly 50% of transgender and nonbinary youth seriously considered suicide in the past year, and those who had access to gender-affirming care and supportive environments reported significantly lower rates of suicidal ideation and attempts. The American Academy of Pediatrics, American Medical Association, and American Psychological Association all affirm that gender-affirming care is evidence-based and medically necessary.
“That simple act of empathy — rooted in policy — made all the difference.”
The same principle applies in the classroom. Teaching about diverse identities and families isn’t “indoctrination.” The GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network) 2021 National School Climate Survey found that LGBTQ+ students in schools with inclusive curricula experienced less bullying and higher academic performance than those in schools without such education. Teaching about differences helps every child build compassion and emotional intelligence — the foundation for healthy, functioning communities.
When my son came out in middle school, his principal and teachers responded with kindness and respect. They protected his privacy and empowered him to be his true self with his family and friends. That simple act of empathy — rooted in policy — made all the difference. He was able to thrive academically and socially because school became a place where he could bring ALL of what makes him wonderfully himself.
And there’s another key issue at stake: the governor appoints New Jersey’s attorney general, who plays a critical role in enforcing anti-discrimination laws. Our current attorney general, Matt Platkin, has taken legal action against several school districts that attempted to roll back Policy 5756, reaffirming that such policies violate New Jersey’s Law Against Discrimination. That kind of leadership matters — it ensures our state protects, rather than targets, vulnerable children.
To those on the fence, I ask you to think of the child in your life who might be trans, gender-expansive, or quietly questioning. Imagine them feeling they must hide who they are. That’s what’s at risk.
New Jersey has been a leader in inclusion, but progress is fragile. This election is about compassion, education, and who we choose to be. Standing with trans youth means standing for empathy, safety, and truth. Let’s choose that future.
Vidhi Goel is a community advocate, marketing executive, and board member of OutFront Metuchen, a nonprofit uplifting the LGBTQ+ community through education, youth engagement, and civic advocacy. The parent of a transgender teen, Vidhi blends her experience in clinical research technology marketing with her passion for inclusion to help create affirming spaces for queer and trans youth.
