Protesters Display "Anti-Transgender" and Faith-Based Signs at OCHS

By MADDY VITALE Two protesters walked around the public area in front of Ocean City High School as students were arriving for class Tuesday morning. The men, who were not identified, held up signs with some religious messages and some that could be “perceived as anti-transgender.” “I received word there were two protesters in front of the school that seemed to be faith-based with signs that said, 'Repent, Jesus Saves,' and some of the dialogue could be perceived as anti-transgender,” explained Interim Schools Superintendent Dr. Scott McCartney. McCartney said that the demonstration was peaceful and the students, who were heading into school for the start of the day, were respectful. “From what I understand, our police were there for our normal operations of arrival and they were able to intervene,” McCartney noted, adding that the protesters were in fact, in a public space. “We respected their right.” While the demonstration by the protesters was peaceful, the message was not, according one group that supports the LGBTQIA+ community. One of the unidentified men is holding this message up with a long stick. (Photo provided) Christine Stanford is president of We Belong Cape May County, a grassroots group that supports diverse opportunities for the LGBTQIA+ community and their allies, while also providing a safe, supportive, and positive atmosphere where they can feel accepted and free to express themselves, according to its mission statement. In June, the organization held its first ever OC Pride Fest on the Ocean City Boardwalk and at the high school practice field at 6th Street. When Stanford, an elementary school teacher and mother of two, learned of the protest, We Belong CMC responded by planning a peaceful gathering of support on Wednesday between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. at the high school. “We Belong CMC will be at the OCHS tomorrow in opposition to the hateful rhetoric displayed for the past two days,” Stanford said in a post to the group, noting that the protesters were at the school on Monday as well. Stanford continued, “We will have a peaceful demonstration with loving and welcoming signs. We are here for students to show they are loved and cared for. Any signs must be loving and positive. We will not be baited. Our kids are watching.” Jenna Smith, left, member, and Christine Stanford, founder of We Belong Cape May County, pose next to their display at OC Pridefest in June. McCartney emphasized that the students recognize there are different points of view. His dialogue with High School Principal Dr. Wendy O’Neal furthered his belief that the students turned a negative situation into a positive one because of how they rose above it and “put their best foot forward.” “I was proud that they could accept others’ point of view, reach a different point of view and talk about it with our teachers, principal and wellness staff. To me, that is education in a nutshell -- understanding that we don’t agree on everything, but still be respectful.” Ocean City Board of Education member Robin Shaffer expressed shock about the apparently hateful content in the signs. “I’m a little shocked and surprised,” Shaffer said, noting that he was speaking for himself and not representing the entire school board. For Keely Calloway, the protesters highlighted what she considered to be a continued problem in the Ocean City school system. Calloway, of Ocean City, is a 2023 Ocean City High School graduate who attends college in Virginia. As a member of We Belong CMC, Calloway has spoken out for fellow students’ rights during a time over the past few years when issues arose about revised sex education standards. The sex education curriculum, developed by Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration in 2020, offers guidance on how schools should teach sex and gender identity. Controversial topics such as sexual orientation and abortion ignited a storm of opposition among Ocean City parents and other members of the community. When Calloway learned of the protesters, she reflected on the past experiences with the school board members at odds over how to handle the curriculum. “It would do everyone some good at Ocean City to actually listen to their students' concerns instead of letting them fall on deaf ears,” she said. “Maybe if the administration, parents, or even school board members would have listened to us, we wouldn't be at this point.” For information about the Ocean City school district, visit oceancityschools.org. The protesters display signs with strong religious messages. (Photo provided)