Judge Rules Muslim, Christian Parents Can’t Opt Out of Lessons on Gender Identity, Sexuality (VIDEO)
A Maryland district court ruled Thursday that Christian and Muslim parents cannot opt their children out of lessons on gender identity and sexual orientation.
A coalition of religious parents sued the Montgomery County Public School Board in March after being notified that students could no longer opt out of lessons discussing gender identity and sexual orientation, arguing that such instruction violates their religious rights. Judge Deborah Boardman denied a preliminary injunction that would have reinstated an opt-out policy ahead of the 2023-2024 school year that begins on Monday.
“The Court concludes the plaintiffs’ asserted due process right to direct their children’s upbringing by opting out of a public-school curriculum that conflicts with their religious views is not a fundamental right. Rational basis review is the appropriate level of scrutiny,” Boardman wrote in her opinion.
Montgomery County Public Schools released a list of LGBTQ-inclusive books in November 2022 that would be implemented in elementary school lessons throughout the year, according to a school presentation. In pre-kindergarten, students will be read “Pride Puppy,” a story of a family celebrating Pride Day that discusses the words “intersex” and “drag queen,” and in fifth-grade students will read “Born Ready,” a book that promotes the idea that “a child-knows-best” when discussing “gender transitioning.”
“Montgomery County Public Schools remains committed to cultivating an inclusive and welcoming learning environment and creating opportunities where all students see themselves and their families in curriculum materials,” the district said in a press release following the decision. “We also will continue to adhere to our responsibility to include instructional materials that reflect the diversity of the local and global community by exploring the aspirations, issues, and achievements of women and men, people with disabilities, people from diverse racial, ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds, as well as those of diverse gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation.”
Carrying signs reading "let parents parent," Muslim and Christian parents rallied Wednesday against a school district's policy that prohibits them from opting their child out of LGBTQ lessons, which they argue violates their religious beliefs.
Via @DailyCaller pic.twitter.com/tD8fYXnlSF
— Reagan Reese (@reaganreese_) August 9, 2023
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