September 15, 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact info@hitops.org
HiTOPS Targeted by Right-Wing Hate Group
Princeton, NJ – HiTOPS has been targeted by an ultra-rightwing, conservative organization, Project Veritas, a known hate group that uses deceptive, unethical practices to spread misinformation.
Project Veritas’ methods of manipulation are well-documented, and they have targeted numerous organizations and individuals across the country over many years. They have been widely discredited by reputable journalists and have lost multiple legal battles.
“HiTOPS has served young people and their families throughout the state for over 37 years,” stated Lisa Shelby, HiTOPS Executive Director. “We are the recognized and trusted expert in New Jersey for youth-focused sex education and support. That is exactly why this hate group misrepresented themselves to us, secretly filmed two lengthy conversations, and manipulated our words to vilify our organization, and discredit our work and the delivery of sex education in our state.”
HiTOPS openly and proudly works to empower all young people through sex education, LGBTQ+ support, and creating environments that affirm youth of all gender identities and sexual orientations. Our goal is for all young people to have access to developmentally appropriate, positive, and medically accurate sex education, to have essential social supports, and to live, work and play in affirming communities.
HiTOPS strongly values family involvement in the lives of their children and features education programs for parents, parent support groups, and various opportunities for parent/child engagement in our work in the community and in schools.
“HiTOPS partners with schools throughout the state to deliver curricula that are aligned with the needs of schools and the requirements of the state,” explained Director of Education Dr. Stacy Robustelli. “We collaborate with educators to develop and facilitate lessons that fulfill the Diversity and Inclusion Instruction Mandate and meet the New Jersey Sex Education Standards. While mandated concepts like acceptance and inclusion may be taught in a variety of classes, sex education content like anatomy and human reproduction are only taught in classes that offer the option for a parent to opt-out their child. We teach in the classes where districts place us and parents are always informed prior to any instruction.”
“The goal of Project Veritas is to wreak havoc and stoke fear and hatred. They target HiTOPS and other organizations to keep us from fulfilling our missions,” stated Shelby. “HiTOPS will not be intimidated or back down from our commitment to youth and their families. We stand by our mission and young people. Always.”
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HiTOPS, Inc. is a 503-c-3 organization whose mission is to empower youth with sex education, social support and communities that affirm them.