The U.S. Supreme Court released its opinion on Friday in the case of Mahmoud v. Taylor, confirming the parental right to direct the education of their children.
Justice Alito delivered the opinion of the Court. He declared, “A government burdens the religious exercise of parents when it requires them to submit their children to instruction that poses ‘a very real threat of undermining’ the religious beliefs and practices that the parents wish to instill.”
The Board of Education of Montgomery County, Maryland, incorporated LGBTQ+ storybooks into the elementary Language Arts curriculum. The district also discontinued the option for parents to opt out of these books, which was previously available. In response, a group of parents from various faith backgrounds filed a lawsuit against the district.
The High Court reversed the Court of Appeals decision and remanded the case for further proceedings consistent with the Court’s opinion. As the lawsuit proceeds, the school district must notify parents when the books will be used in class and allow parents to excuse their children from instruction.
One of the books cited in the Court’s opinion is The Prince and Knight. In 2019, I attended a parent meeting with district administrators at a Jefferson County elementary school, where this book was one of numerous LGBTQ+ books that teachers were asked by the principal to read to their students and follow corresponding lesson plans. In this particular school, it was read to third-grade students.
Also, in 2019, the Colorado legislature passed HB19-1192, which included the teaching of the historical and social contributions of LGBTQ individuals, who are also minorities, into Colorado’s Social Studies Academic Standards. The State Board of Education voted to include this requirement beginning in first grade.
Have you heard of the children’s book Sylvia and Marsha Start a Revolution! ?
It’s about two transgender women of color who helped kickstart the 1969 Stonewall Rebellion. A little research reveals the two were drag queens and prostitutes. This book is one of many posted on the Colorado Department of Education’s (CDE) website as an optional resource for teachers to read to their six-year-old students.
The recent ruling may be a game-changer for many families who have experienced great distress because of gender indoctrination at their public schools. Defending Education is advising parents to ask their school districts how they are going to comply with the ruling. The organization has provided information and an opt-out form for parents to submit to their children’s schools.
Colorado law stipulates that parents must be provided with an outline of Comprehensive Human Sexuality courses, which cannot begin before the fourth grade. Parents are also entitled to advance notice and have the option to opt their children out of any or all of these classes. However, there is no opt-out option for social studies classes or other courses, and no advance notice is required when topics related to sex and gender are discussed. Colorado should be inclusive and respect all parents’ deeply held beliefs regarding sex and gender education, allowing opt-outs beyond those based solely on religious views.
Pam Benigno, Director of Education Policy Center
