Parent’s Right to Opt Out of Sexual Indoctrination in Schools Heads to SCOTUS
The Salty Citizen
Audio By Carbonatix
Have you heard this one?
A Muslim mom, a Jewish mom, and a Christian mom walk into a bar… Or more specifically, a chamber? Well, they did. And it is no joke.
In a rare moment of ecumenical alliance, Christians, Muslims, and Jews have come together to crusade against a common enemy…schools run amok.
The U.S. Supreme Court is currently hearing Mahmoud v. Taylor, a significant case involving a group of parents in Montgomery County, Maryland, who are challenging the school district’s policy that prohibits opting out of elementary school lessons featuring LGBTQ+ themed storybooks. These books, such as Uncle Bobby’s Wedding and Prince & Knight, were introduced in 2022 to reflect diverse family structures in the English language arts curriculum.
Fine, except that introducing these “diverse” structures, they are also condoning them and allowing their clear moral messages to stand without objection. For instance, in Uncle Bobby’s Wedding, it’s not just that gay marriage is happening. It is that gay marriage is to be celebrated by everyone, according to the book and the lesson.
Initially, the district allowed parents to opt out, but in March 2023, it reversed this policy, citing logistical challenges and concerns about stigmatizing LGBTQ+ students. The parents argue that this change infringes upon their First Amendment rights to freely exercise their religion, as the content conflicts with their religious beliefs. Eric Baxter argued on behalf of the parents that they are being pressured to abandon or modify their religious beliefs to access public education. And yes, in all three religions, marriage is an integral religious institution with covenantal rights and responsibilities, documented in sacred texts.
As a former public and private school teacher, I have thoughts. Here is just one…”GIVE ME A BREAK.”
Logistical challenges? Don’t include the book or include the book but send a curriculum list home at the beginning of the year, along with a reminder and standard permission slip for that lesson. And I say lesson singular, because surely it would be “A LESSON” and not four because it is not indoctrination and all that, right?? You know what truly was a logistical challenge?? Being told you can no longer use male/female pronouns at all during the day with elementary children. Trying to describe life with zero references to a mother or father, husband and wife…no mommies or daddies…no addressing the three turkeys in the corner with “BOYS stop chewing crayons.”
During oral arguments, several conservative justices, including Justices Thomas and Alito, appeared sympathetic to the parents’ position, suggesting they are inclined to support parental rights in this context. In contrast, liberal justices questioned whether mere exposure to these materials constitutes coercion. Justice Kavanaugh highlighted Maryland’s history of religious freedom, while Justice Alito discussed the moral messages conveyed in the books.
The case has broader implications, as it could set a precedent for parental rights in public education, particularly concerning content related to LGBTQ+ issues. Parental rights is the Alamo, friends. You are seeing the battle fought in Colorado, Illinois, Maryland…Stand your ground. Stand your ground, knowing that for the devoted and devout EVERYTHING is a matter of faith.
A decision is expected by the end of June 2025.
