New Jersey A.G. Co-Sponsors Letter to Protect Transgender Athletes in Schools

New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin is co-sponsoring a letter that supports robust antidiscrimination protections for transgender students that could go a long way in changing the landscape of local school athletics.

Platkin joins a list that includes 12 Attorney Generals from around the country as a response to a proposed rule by the United State Department of Education that would "clarify how schools receiving federal funding can remain in compliance with Title IX, a federal civil rights statute, when determining a transgender student’s eligibility to participate on school athletic teams."

Their letter recommends revisions to the rule that would guarantee the inclusion of all trans students in school sports from elementary through high school until they reach college athletics. The AG's urge the Biden administration to require that schools receiving federal funding allow transgender students to participate at all levels of athletic play.

“Every student deserves a safe and inclusive school environment,” Platkin says in a statement posted to the Attorney General's page. “In New Jersey, we recognize the benefit of school sports on overall education, and we will continue to protect transgender students from all forms of discrimination in schools across our State.”

New Jersey is getting a new food festival! Boujee FoodieCon will be coming to Fort Monmouth in Oceanport on June 3 and June 4. The two-day festival will have culinary contests, games, music, and more.

"We're thrilled to bring this event to the community," says CW Events founder, Renee Lam-Whiteman per NJ.com. "It's a great way to showcase the diverse and extraordinary food and music scene in our area, and to bring people together for a day of fun and celebration." Co-organizer Melanie Carpenter adds, "This event will showcase the ongoing transformation of Fort Monmouth from a vacant military base to a vibrant epicenter of the area."

Take a look below to see what events you can expect, live music, and ticket information:

There are several vendors that will be at the festival including food, drinks, and various products. Here are the lists of some of the vendors below:
- The Butcher's Block
- Pancho Mexican Kitchen
- Birdsmouth Beer - an all lager NJ brewery
- Mav's Top Buns - artisanal cinnamon buns
- Goodlife Coffee Mobile Barista
- Your Sister's Balls
- Hearthly Burger
- Dim Sum World
- Exotic Bowls
- Masha Moro Caviar
- Stefie the Sommelier Wine Tastings
- Honeysuckle Nectary Apiary & Gardens
- Q Company Barbeque
- Alfonso's Catering
- Best Day Ever Ice Cream Truck
- Crazy Corn 05 - Mexican street corn, mango chamoy and more!
- Green's Natural Foods
- Bella Ciao Pizza
- Crum & Co. - crumb cake
- CFS - Complete Fitness Solution: Home of Crossfit Shrewsbury
- Jaimes - clean, hydrating lip gloss line
- Oceanport Pharmacy
- Joyce Murphy, Better Homes and Garden Realtor

Gates Open (11 am - 9 pm)
Daly Irish Dance (11 am- 11:45 am)
Lakehouse Music Academy Bands (12pm- 2 pm)
Kül D'Sack (2 pm- 4 pm)
MC DJ Reem (4 pm- 9 pm)
Earth Monkeys (4 pm- 6 pm)
Laura G Music (6 pm- 8 pm)

Gates Open (11 am- 9 pm)
Daly Irish Dance (11:30 am 12:30 pm)
Damian & the DCQ (1 pm- 3 pm)
So Watt (3 pm- 5 pm)
Earth Monkeys (5 pm- 7 pm)

Live music will also be at the festival, and these four bands and one solo artist will be performing are below:

- So Watt
- Earth Monkeys
- Laura G Music
- Kul D'Sack
- Lakehouse Music Academy bands

Gates open Saturday, June 3rd at 11 am - 9pm & Sunday, June 4th at 11am to 7pm. Admission is free for children under the age of 10. There are no refunds. This is a rain-or-shine event. In your ticket price you will receive, entrance, parking, entertainment, 360 photo booth, carnival
You can purchase your tickets here.