UPDATE: This story has been updated since it was originally posted. The U.S. Supreme Court’s conservative majority signaled support for Maryland parents seeking to exempt their children from elementary school lessons involving LGBTQ-themed storybooks, citing religious objections, the Associated Press reported. Brent Leatherwood, president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, noted the justices’ skepticism of claims that the books are mere exposure, not coercive content conflicting with traditional beliefs, Baptist Press reported. A ruling is expected later this term.
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday (April 22) in Mahmoud v. Taylor. The case challenges whether public school parents in Montgomery County, Maryland, can opt their children out of lessons featuring LGBTQ+ content that conflicts with their religious beliefs.
The dispute began in 2022 after Montgomery County Public Schools added LGBTQ-themed books to elementary curricula. The district revoked a previous opt-out policy in March 2023, sparking legal action by a diverse group of Muslim, Catholic and Ukrainian Orthodox parents, according to multiple news reports. They argue their First Amendment rights are being violated — and that the books encourage “pride parades, gender transitioning and pronoun preferences for children,” according to religious freedom legal group Becket, which is representing the parents.
Specific books at issue include “Prince and Knight” and “Born Ready.”
Lower courts sided with the school district, citing educational disruption. The Supreme Court’s ruling, expected by early summer, could redefine the balance between religious freedom and public education mandates.
See other related links below:
SCOTUS skeptical of school board’s denial of parental rights, ERLC says -Baptist Press
Supreme Court hears arguments over LGBT books in the classroom -World
Supreme Court signals support for Maryland parents who object to LGBTQ books in public schools -Associated Press
Supreme Court takes up religious rights dispute over LGBTQ books in Maryland schools -Associated Press
Supreme Court to debate if elementary schools may skip parental notice for LGBTQ+ reading -CNN
Supreme Court to consider whether parents can opt out of kids reading LGBTQ books in the classroom -Fox News
Supreme Court weighs parents’ objections to LGBTQ content in elementary schools -NBC News
The links above are a sampling of headlines related to story and are not an endorsement of all viewpoints or reporting.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was compiled from news reports by The Baptist Paper.
