Webber, Murphy spar over Hanover’s new policy

A Twitter fight between Gov. Phil Murphy and Assemblyman Jay Webber (R-Morris Plains) garnered some national attention this weekend after the two traded barbs over the Hanover Board of Education’s new policy requiring parental notification of gender identity and sexual orientation of LGBTQ+ students.

Attorney General Matt Platkin filed a complaint against Hanover last week, alleging that the new policy violates the state’s Law Against Discrimination.

In a tweet, Webber said: “Parents love & know their kids better than AG Platkin & Gov Murphy do.  Schools shouldn’t withhold info on kids from parents.  Good for Hanover BOE. And shame on (Platkin) & (Murphy) for suing to prevent loving parents from loving their kids.”

Murphy responded: “Sorry, (Jay Webber), but requiring school staff to ‘out’ LGBTQ+ students to their parents is wrong.  Coming out is a personal decision.  We won’t allow government-mandated ‘outing’ that puts the health of our young people at risk.”

Webber quickly went back at Murphy, saying: “No (Governor Murphy), keeping secrets about kids from their parents is the stuff of authoritarians & shouldn’t be tolerated.  Not your call on what parents get to know about their kids.”