Religious parents urge Supreme Court to restore opt-outs for Pride Storybooks Muslims, Jews & Christians ask Court to protect parental rights

WASHINGTON – A diverse group of religious parents was at the Supreme Court today asking the 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 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.)

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. 

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 religious 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 faith—a result that, according to a recent poll, most Americans support.  

A ruling is expected by the end of the Court’s term in June. 

Statements for media use:  

Grace Morrison, board member of Kids First: 

“The School Board is pushing inappropriate gender theory on children and running roughshod over parental rights. Today, we urged the Court to let kids be kids, and let parents guide their religious future. A child’s innocence, once lost, is gone forever.”  

Billy Moges, director of Kids First:  

“Schools should be working with parents, not against us. We are our children’s primary teachers, not obstacles to be avoided. Today, we asked the Court to remind Montgomery County—and the entire nation—of this fundamental truth.” 

Eric Baxter, vice president and senior counsel at Becket: 

“In this country, we’ve always trusted families to decide when their kids are ready for sensitive topics. Children shouldn’t be forced into conversations about drag queens, pride parades, and gender transitions without their parents’ permission. Today, we fought for common sense and parents’ right to guide the upbringing of their children.” 

For more information or to arrange an interview with a Becket attorney, contact Ryan Colby at [email protected] or 202-349-7219.