Parents Challenge LGBTQ Books in Maryland Classrooms

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Parents Challenge LGBTQ Books in Maryland Classrooms \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ A legal battle over LGBTQ-themed children’s books in Maryland public schools has reached the U.S. Supreme Court. Parents are seeking the right to opt their children out of lessons they claim conflict with their religious beliefs. The school district says the books foster inclusion, not sex education.

Quick Looks

The U.S. Supreme Court will hear a case involving LGBTQ-themed books in elementary classrooms
Montgomery County, Maryland, integrated five storybooks into the K–5 curriculum to reflect diverse families
Some religious parents argue these materials violate their faith and want opt-out rights restored
Lower courts sided with the school district, but SCOTUS has supported religious rights in recent rulings
Books include themes of love, identity, inclusion, and self-acceptance—not explicit sex education
Parents group “Kids First” says the stories confuse young children about gender and sexuality
Montgomery County officials say allowing opt-outs became “unworkably disruptive”
PEN America says the case is a book ban attempt “by another name”
Authors and advocates stress the importance of representation and listening to children’s experiences
One removed book, “My Rainbow,” has faced bans in multiple states but emphasizes love and identity

Deep Look

A legal showdown over LGBTQ-themed children’s books in Maryland classrooms is heading to the U.S. Supreme Court, reigniting a national debate on religious freedom, parental rights, and the role of inclusive education in public schools.

At the center of the case is Montgomery County Public Schools, one of the most diverse districts in the country, and a group of religious parents who say their rights are being trampled after the district refused to let them opt their children out of lessons that include books featuring LGBTQ characters and themes.

The justices are set to hear the case on Tuesday, and the ruling could have sweeping implications for how public schools across the U.S. balance faith-based objections with efforts to reflect a diverse society in classrooms.

A Fairy Tale With a Twist Sparks Controversy

Among the books at issue is “Prince and Knight,” a modern fairy tale in which a prince rescues a knight, and the two men fall in love. The book, along with four others, is part of the elementary language arts curriculum for grades K through 5.

Other books include:

“Uncle Bobby’s Wedding” – A young girl worries about her bond with her uncle after he marries another man.
“Love, Violet” – A girl nervously prepares to give a Valentine to another girl.
“Born Ready” – The story of a transgender boy coming out to his family.
“Intersection Allies” – A book featuring characters from various cultural backgrounds, including a gender-fluid child.

School officials insist these are not sex education materials but rather age-appropriate stories aimed at helping children understand love, identity, and diversity through literature.

But for some families in Montgomery County, particularly those with conservative religious beliefs, the books cross a line.

Religious Parents Say Their Rights Are Ignored

A coalition of parents, represented by the group Kids First, argues that forcing their children to be present for lessons involving these books violates their religious liberty and moral teachings.

“It’s labeled as a language arts program,” said Billy Moges, a board member of the group. “But the content is very sexual. It teaches human sexuality and confuses kids. Parents are uncomfortable exposing children to this so young.”

Dozens of parents have testified before the Montgomery County School Board, expressing concern that the lessons conflict with their biblical values and religious obligation to shield young children from teachings on gender and sexuality.

Moges said she withdrew her three daughters — now aged 6, 8, and 10 — from public school. They were homeschooled before enrolling in a private Christian school.

The School District’s Defense: Inclusion, Not Indoctrination

In court filings, attorneys for Montgomery County Public Schools defend the book selections as part of a broader effort to represent all students and families, including LGBTQ individuals.

“These are not sex-ed books,” the school district argued. “They are stories about friendship, adventure, emotion, and self-expression — the same themes seen in classic literature like Cinderella or Peter Pan.”

The district says it initially allowed parents to opt their children out, but later reversed the policy because the requests became “unworkably disruptive” to classroom instruction.

Importantly, the district emphasized that teachers are prohibited from using the books to coerce or challenge students’ religious beliefs and that participation in discussions remains voluntary.

Legal Momentum Reaches the High Court

So far, lower courts have sided with the school system, ruling that the curriculum does not compel students to agree with its content and that parents’ rights don’t extend to dictating public school instruction.

But with a conservative-leaning U.S. Supreme Court that has prioritized religious liberty in recent decisions — including cases involving prayer in public schools and religious objections to LGBTQ laws — advocates for the parents believe the tide could turn.

The plaintiffs argue that public schools cannot compel participation in instruction that violates core religious convictions, particularly when other areas of the curriculum — such as sex education — allow for opt-outs.

Book Bans by Another Name?

PEN America, a nonprofit organization advocating for free expression, has submitted a friend-of-the-court brief, warning that granting the opt-out could amount to a de facto book ban.

“What the parents are asking for is a constitutionally suspect book ban by another name,” said Tasslyn Magnusson, senior adviser at PEN’s Freedom to Read program.

She noted that providing customized alternatives every time a child’s parent objects to a book could pressure schools to remove the books entirely—the very definition of censorship.

“These books are thoughtful, age-appropriate, and reflect real experiences children have. There’s nothing harmful or inappropriate about them,” Magnusson said.

“My Rainbow” Pulled Without Explanation

One book originally in the curriculum, “My Rainbow”, was mysteriously removed. Co-authored by Delaware state Rep. DeShanna Neal and her daughter Trinity, it tells the story of Trinity’s desire for long hair as a transgender girl and her mother’s loving solution: knitting her a rainbow wig.

Neal said the book was pulled in several states, including Florida, Ohio, and Texas.

“School is where kids should learn that the world is different,” Neal said. “I wrote this book to help parents listen to their children — they know who they are.”

The book, though not currently at issue in the lawsuit, reflects the broader cultural clash over who gets to decide what values are taught in public education.

What’s at Stake

The Supreme Court’s ruling in this case could redefine the boundaries between religious freedom and public education policy. A decision favoring the parents may encourage similar challenges across the country, while a ruling for the school district could solidify the authority of public institutions to pursue inclusive curricula without needing constant accommodations.

It also poses a broader societal question: Should public schools reflect the diversity of the families they serve, or should they defer to parents’ religious beliefs, even if that limits representation of marginalized groups?

As the justices prepare to hear arguments, school districts, parents, publishers, and advocacy groups are bracing for a decision that could impact every classroom in America.