(Photo: NJ.com)

A New Jersey law requiring that public schools teach LGBT history isn’t set to go into effect until this fall, but several schools across the state are already participating in a pilot program.

Twelve schools, including those in Hackensack, Newark and Asbury Park, began teaching LGBT history this month as part of a pilot program for new LGBT-focused curriculum, NorthJersey.com reported.

The new law, signed last year by Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy, requires public schools to teach students about the “political, economic, and social contributions” of “lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people” and persons with disabilities. It applies to middle school and high school students and must be taught in all public schools beginning in the 2020-21 school year.

LGBT groups championed the new law, which made New Jersey the second state – after California – to require the teaching of gay history. (Illinois recently became the third.)

The law’s intent, supporters told the website, is for LGBT curriculum to be woven into multiple subjects. Examples of the lessons include gay victims of the Holocaust and a discussion “about the memoir of a boy forced into gay ‘conversion therapy,’” NorthJersey.com reported.

Christian and social conservative groups, though, say the new law treads on parental rights. The Family Policy Alliance of New Jersey launched a petition to urge the governor and legislature to allow parents to opt their children out of the curriculum.

Michael Foust | ChristianHeadlines.com Contributor | Friday, January 17, 2020