Summary
The Supreme Court decided that Maryland parents can remove their children from public school lessons using LGBTQ storybooks if they have religious objections. This ruling reversed previous decisions that favored the school district and means that schools likely cannot force young children to sit through these lessons if parents object due to their religious beliefs.
Key Facts
- The ruling involves parents in Maryland who object to LGBTQ storybooks on religious grounds.
- The Supreme Court overturned lower court rulings that supported the Montgomery County school system.
- The decision suggests that parents will likely win the case in the end.
- The school district introduced books like “Prince & Knight” and “Uncle Bobby’s Wedding” in 2022 to reflect diversity.
- Pen America noted more than 10,000 books were banned in the last school year.
- Parents initially could opt out of such lessons, but the school board later stopped allowing this, which led to a lawsuit.
- Sex education is the only subject in Montgomery schools where students can be excused.
- The Supreme Court has frequently supported religious discrimination claims in recent years.
