Reported by Mike Hobson
The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday (June 27) ruled that public schools must allow parents to let their children “opt out” of classes using sexually offensive storybooks . The landmark opinion in Mahmoud et al v. Taylor et al involved a Montgomery Maryland Board of Education decision that introduced a variety of LGBTQ publications that were being used in the Maryland course of study. The Board had prevented parents from opting their children out of what they considered to be “inappropriate materials”.
The plaintiffs (parents) argued, and the 6-3 conservative majority agreed, that the use of the books without allowing parents to opt their children out would interfere with students’ First Amendment right to religious exercise. The court said that the parents “are entitled to a preliminary injunction.”
In their holding, written by Justice Alito, the USSC held that “the Court has long recognized the rights of parents to direct the religious upbringing of their children.” Sotomayor, Kagan, and Jackson dissented in the opinion.
While this case involved a Maryland school board the opinion will reaffirm and establish a policy that will be binding on school systems across the country.
John Wahl, chair of the Alabama Republican Party and the Alabama Public Library Service board of directors, praised the decision over the weekend.
“As chairman of the Alabama Public Library Service, I have been saying this for years: we must put parents back in control of what their children are exposed to. (Friday’s) Supreme Court ruling is a powerful win for religious freedom and parental rights,” Wahl said. “No child should be forced to sit through lessons that go against their family’s beliefs. Parents—not government bureaucrats—should have the final say in what their children have access to in public institutions. I applaud the Court’s decision to uphold the Constitution and protect the right of families to opt out of radical social agendas being pushed on our young people.”
LGBTQ Kids Lose at the Supreme Court—and Parental Rights Win
You can read the entire Court Opinion at the link below:
https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24pdf/24-297_4f14.pdf
