Above: Ex-Assemblyman Tim Eustace, who was the first out person voters elected mayor in New Jersey, speaks about the rising power of LGBT politicians.

BARNEGAT - Mayor Alfonso Cirulli launched a campaign Tuesday to fight a New Jersey law that brings an LGBT curriculum into schools and urged residents to join his fight.

During the Tuesday morning meeting of the Township Committee, Cirulli, a 60-year-old former assistant principal, said it was his duty to protect residents and called the LGBT political movement "an affront to almighty God."

During his opening remarks, he urged residents to pressure Gov. Phil Murphy and the state Legislature to reverse a measure signed into law on Jan. 31. The law requires middle and high school curriculums include instruction on the political, economic and social contributions of people with disabilities or who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender. The law would apply to the 2020-2021 school year.

"The government has no right to teach our kids morality," Cirulli said.

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Cirulli said the curriculum law violates the religious rights of parents, freedom of speech and amounts to indoctrination of children.

"We've crossed over the line into absurdity," he said.

The mayor also cited other legal changes, such as the legalization of same-sex marriage by the state and federal governments, as the work of "progressive politicians" before he said God would hold politicians accountable for passing such laws.

"Now is the time for the righteous to stand up for their rights," he said from the dais.

Committeeman John J. Novak echoed Cirulli's statements, saying: "It's the parents' job, not the government's job. … Parents have rights."

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While Cirulli's comments were met with mostly silence, some members of the audience were quick to denounce his statements.

"This is a public forum where I felt like I was in church," Briget Nunn, a Barnegat resident and mental health clinician who counsels LGBT youth, said during the meeting's public comment section.

Nunn said such beliefs had no place in the public forum.

"I understand that everyone is entitled to their belief and their religious ideas, … but what I have a problem with is when you bring them into a public forum," Nunn said. "As public officials … you have to be careful about what message you're sending to these kids I'm counseling, who are already in your schools feeling like they're isolated, alone and not getting the support they need."

Peggy A. Houle, a Democrat running for a three-year term on the Township Committee, also condemned Cirulli's statements.

"You are misusing and abusing your power," she said during the public comment portion of the meeting.

But other Barnegat residents said they agreed with Cirulli.

Joshua Armstong, a father and pastor of the Mount Zion Baptist Church on Gunning River Road, said parents should have a choice on what their children learn about this "complicated" topic.

Cirulli defended his stance before opponents saying: "There is no hate or bigotry intended here. … Everyone has a right to live his or her life the way they want to, but no group has a right to force others to comply with their beliefs."

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Jon Oliveira, director of communications for the pro-LGBT rights group Garden State Equality, said in an email that Cirulli's comments were "deeply troubling" and "opposed to building an inclusive and affirming environment for LBGTQ youth."

Oliveira said Garden State Equality worked closely last year with the Barnegat School District to implement transgender student guidance. Two Barnegat teachers also are working alongside Garden State Equality to develop LGBTQ curriculum recommendations, he said.

"You cannot opt out of LGBTQ-inclusive curriculum just like you cannot opt out of science or black history simply because of ill-informed or close-minded personal beliefs," Oliveira said in his email. "LGBTQ history is a part of American history, and to hide or misrepresent who, how, and why we are here today means students would otherwise be learning fiction."

Amanda Oglesby is an Ocean County native who covers Brick, Barnegat and Lacey townships as well as the environment. She has worked for the Press for more than a decade. Reach her at @OglesbyAPP, aoglesby@gannettnj.com or 732-557-5701.