The conservative-led U.S. Supreme Court plans to hear a case Tuesday involving parents having the religious right to pull their children out of class when reading or discussing books containing LGBTQ-related content.
The court will review parents’ appeals against the Maryland Public School District, in 2022, books aimed at combating bias and discussing homosexuality and gender identity are introduced to kindergartens and elementary school students.
The schools initially offered parents the opportunity to opt out of the controversial courses, but later withdrew the option, saying: “These exits are impossible.
The parents are suing because the exit is cancelled. They say the school’s inclusive curriculum choice violates their Christian and Muslim beliefs and the First Amendment rights.
The complaint said the Montgomery County School Board “wanted to undermine the right to “pass these beliefs to their children.”
School systems in some conservative countries have issued book bans or cracked library catalogs, with parents and conservative groups saying public places are not suitable for hosting books they accuse of promoting homosexuality and inclusive progressive ideology.
Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a measure in 2022 called the Don't Say Gay Act, which prohibits teaching subjects related to sexual orientation or gender identity in primary schools.
The precedents of the court have generally been determined, and making students understand that ideas that are contrary to religion do not pose coercion.
President Donald Trump's administration's Justice Department supports parents in the case, accusing schools of “textbooks interfere with the freedom of religious exercise.”
The High Court ruling, with its six Conservatives and three progressive judges, is expected to end in late June.
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