Ed Potosnak Condemns Ciattarelli’s Horrible Anti-LGBT Platform

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Ed Potosnak.  Cell: 732-991-7574

Ed Potosnak, an openly gay member of the Franklin Township Board of Education issued the following statement in his personal capacity in response to Gubernatorial Candidate Jack Ciattarelli’s homophobic comments:

“I am shocked and dismayed to learn Jack Ciattarelli is trying to win over votes on the backs of LGBT neighbors, parents, first responders, workers and students,” said Ed Potosnak.  “His dishonest accounting of the school curriculum is aimed at striking fear into parents — and exemplifies the very need for LGBTQ+ curriculum,” Potosnak added.

In 2015 Potosnak, who was President of the Franklin Township Board of Education at the time, was targeted by a fellow board member, Pat Stanley, calling on him to resign after a graduation address included a reference to the Supreme Court decision released earlier that day granting LGBT+ couples marriage equality and sharing openly, honestly, and publicly the decision was significant to him and his family.

“Ciattarelli is trying turn back time to force LGBT+ students and people like me back into the shadows—it’s eerily reminiscent of Pat Stanley’s failed attempt to kick me out of leading the Board of Education for being gay and openly speaking about it,” Potosnak recounted.  “It’s bullies like this that are killing our kids, with LGB youth more than five time more likely to attempt suicide,” explained Potosnak.

“I want every young person, and adult, to know they are loved, accepted, and no matter what it might feel like right now — it gets better.  I encourage people who support the LGBT+ community to please speak out against Ciattarelli’s bigoted comments smearing teaching the many contributions of LGBT+ Americans,” Potosnak concluded.

Ed Potosnak is a Executive Director of the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters, Former Chemistry Teacher at Bridgewater-Raritan High School, Albert Einstein Educator Fellow, and candidate for Council in Franklin Township Ward 1.

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