Religious parents ask Supreme Court to restore opt-outs for Pride storybooks Muslims, Jews & Christians in Maryland ask Justices to protect parental rights

WASHINGTON – A diverse group of religious parents asked the Supreme Court to restore their right to opt their children out of storybooks that push one-sided ideology on gender and sexuality. In Mahmoud v. Taylor, the Montgomery County Board of Education took away parental notice and opt-outs for storybooks that celebrate gender transitioning, pride parades, and pronoun preferences with kids as young as three and four. Older students can opt out when similar topics are introduced during high school health class. Becket represents a diverse coalition of religious parents including Muslims, Christians, and Jews who challenged the opt-out ban in 2023 (Watch this short video to learn more). After a federal appeals court refused to restore their rights, the Supreme Court agreed to hear the case earlier this year. 

The new “inclusivity” books were announced in 2022 for students in pre-K through fifth grade. Instead of focusing on basic principles of respect and kindness, however, the books champion controversial ideology around gender and sexuality. For example, one book tasks three and four-year-olds to search for images from a word list that includes “intersex flag,” “drag queen,” “underwear,” “leather,” and the name of a celebrated LGBTQ activist and sex worker. Another book advocates a child-knows-best approach to gender transitioning, telling students that a decision to transition doesn’t have to “make sense.” Teachers are instructed to say doctors only “guess” when identifying a newborn’s sex anyway. The School Board revoked notice and opt-outs for these storybooks, which violates Maryland law, the Board’s policies, and the advice of its own elementary school principals. 

“Montgomery County is pushing inappropriate gender theory on our children all while neglecting the core education they need to succeed,” said Grace Morrison, board member of Kids First, an association of parents and teachers advocating for notice and opt-outs in Montgomery County Schools. “We pray the Supreme Court puts a stop to this nonsense once and for all and restores parents’ right to raise their own children according to their beliefs.”  

Soon after the School Board announced it would take away parental notice and opt-outs for the storybooks, a diverse coalition of religious parents sued the School Board in federal court. Despite faith differences, these parents believe the storybooks are age-inappropriate, spiritually and emotionally damaging for their children, and inconsistent with their beliefs. Last year, the parents asked the Supreme Court to restore their right to notice and opt-outs so they can help guide their children’s education in accordance with their beliefs—a result that, according to a recent poll, most Americans support.  

“Forcing toddlers to learn about drag queens and pride parades without their parents knowing is as unconstitutional as it is unnecessary,” said Eric Baxter, vice president and senior counsel at Becket. “Our nation has a long tradition of respecting parents’ right to decide when and how to introduce their children to such sensitive topics, and we are confident the Court will uphold that enduring freedom here.” 

The Court will hear the case on April 22, 2025.