Supreme Court to weigh clash over parental opt-outs for storybooks on gender identity and sexuality

The Supreme Court is set to consider a case involving Maryland parents challenging the Montgomery County school board’s policy that eliminates opt-outs for instruction featuring LGBTQ-inclusive storybooks, arguing it infringes on their First Amendment rights to direct their children’s religious upbringing. The school board, citing logistical issues, revoked advance notice for readings of certain books, prompting backlash from over 1,000 parents and a lawsuit from three families of different faiths, which was previously denied in lower courts. The Trump administration supports the parents, contending that the policy burdens their religious exercise by forcing a choice between adherence to their beliefs and public education.