Supreme Court Reviews Religious Parents' Challenge to LGBTQ School Policies

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case involving parents in Montgomery County, Maryland, who are challenging a school district's policy that prohibits them from opting their children out of classes featuring LGBT-themed storybooks. The parents, representing various religious backgrounds including Christian and Muslim, argue that such instruction violates their First Amendment rights to free exercise of religion, as it conflicts with their beliefs. The district had initially allowed opt-outs but later reversed this policy, stating that the lessons were part of the language-arts curriculum and not sex education. This case highlights the ongoing national debate over parental rights and educational content related to gender and sexuality. The school district insists that exposure to these books is akin to traditional fairy tales and does not promote sexual education. Oral arguments for the case will be scheduled at a later date.