In a major blow to LGBTQ+ instruction in the classroom, the Supreme Court just ruled that religious parents can opt their children out of school classes when books with LGBTQ+-related storylines will be discussed.
The case, Mahmoud v. Taylor, was brought by an alliance of Christian and Muslim parents against the Montgomery County Board of Education in Maryland. The parents argued that the school was exposing their children to books with LGBTQ+ themes without families' consent and in violation of their religious beliefs.
The books were freely available for students to pick up and read, and included stories on everything from a boy wearing a dress to school, to a prince who doesn’t want to marry any of the princesses in his kingdom, to the tale of a puppy getting lost in a Pride parade.
Though the school initially offered opt-outs for religious parents, this policy proved too burdensome for school administrators to handle. The opt-out options were rescinded during the 2023-2024 school year.
When parents challenged the decision, the case made its way to the nation's highest court.
There, the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that the district has to offer opt-outs for religious parents when LGBTQ+ subjects may be broached in the classroom.
But legal experts say the impact of this case is far-reaching, and it sets a precedent that could impact education nationwide.
What the Court Said
Essentially, the justices determined that exposing children to LGBTQ+ content in schools was a violation of their parents' religious rights.
"A government burdens the religious exercise of parents when it requires them to submit their children to instruction that poses ‘a very real threat of undermining’ the religious beliefs and practices that the parents wish to instill," wrote Justice Samuel Alito, speaking for the majority. "And a government cannot condition the benefit of free public education on parents’ acceptance of such instruction."
The opinion states that the books present the LGBTQ+ community in a positive light – and that is a problem for religious parents. Alito used one of the books, “Uncle Bobby’s Wedding,” as an example, stating that the book’s climax, a same-sex wedding, is presented positively, which may “undermine” parents who “wish to present a different moral message to their children.”
Alito argues that parents simply want to guide the faith of their children without education undermining their religious values, and that they are not seeking to “micromanage” school curriculum.
But that’s exactly what the Court’s liberal wing says will happen.
What Does the Dissent Argue?
According to the Court’s three liberal justices, allowing children to opt-out of any lesson that conflicts with their religion would open a national floodgate that would significantly overburden schools.
“Requiring schools to provide advance notice and the chance to opt out of every lesson plan or story time that might implicate a parent’s religious beliefs will impose impossible administrative burdens on schools,” wrote Justice Sotomayor in a scathing dissent. “The harm will not be borne by educators alone: Children will suffer too. Classroom disruptions and absences may well inflict long-lasting harm on students’ learning and development.”
Sotomayor also argued that the decision itself “threatens the very essence of a public education,” which she argues is not to reinforce any particular faith value, but to be exposed to a variety of viewpoints representative of society as a whole. “The reverberations of the Court’s error will be felt, I fear, for generations.”
Back Into the Closet?
Many legal scholars agree that the judgment is so broad it could unwittingly extend far beyond the original LGBTQ+ themes that were initially objected to, and anything that may conflict with faith-based values could now require an opt-out.
That includes everything from stories featuring witches and wizards in language arts, to instructions on evolution in biology, to yoga in physical education. Even mentioning women in the workforce – which some Christian sects say is in direct conflict with the Bible – could require an opt-out option.
LGBTQ+ rights advocates fear that in an effort to avoid administrative overburdens, schools may drop LGBTQ+ content from their curriculum altogether.
"Everyone is going to object to anything now," says University of Maryland education history professor Campbell Scribner. "And why wouldn’t they?”
Critics of the ruling worry about a future where LGBTQ+ representation disappears from public spaces entirely. The author of Uncle Bobby's Wedding voiced her concerns when reacting to the court's decision:
Unless they have an Uncle Bobby of their own, children may not know he exists at all.
What do you make of the ruling? Should parents have the final say on kids and LGBTQ+ education, or is this an overreach?
114 comments
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Lawrence A. Benson
Please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't these the same people who want the Christian Ten Commandments posted in every classroom in every public school? And the same people who demanded to be able to hold prayer meetings on public school property? It sounds to me that unless it's something that 'they' believe in, it's to be banned. Am I missing something here? What they're saying is that 'they' have rights, but nobody else does.
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James Riggle-Johnson
Exactly!
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Christopher Michael Carlson
No, there was no demanding prayer meetings in school. A club held on school grounds is not a demand to disrupt a school schedule and if a community wants their school to have the 10 commandments, thats their right weather we like it or not. That is definitely not demanding or requiring the same to be done at all schools. I believe in Biology and Science and am also a man of faith, I have the right to teach my children certain morals and principles, which includes deciding when my youngsters are exposed to certain subjects. Kids of a certain age should ONLY be worried about being kids, not about sexual orientation or being confused about what one is or is not.
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Michael Hunt
Why is it okay to expose your children to heterosexual relationships but not homosexual ones? We have no problem teaching kids about heterosexual orientation but the existence of same-sex couples has to remain a secret to your child? What happens if they meet a child who has same-sex parents?
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James Riggle-Johnson
One of the better questions I’ve seen raised is: If parents can opt their kids out of LGBTQ-inclusive materials, does that mean other parents can opt out of evolution? After all, that goes against some religious beliefs too. Are we really going to forgo teaching reality in a place where kids are supposed to learn how the world works?
People need to stop equating the mention of LGBTQ people with discussions about sex. That’s not what these materials are about. When classrooms talk about “mommies and daddies,” it immediately creates a disconnect for kids with two moms or two dads. If that child brings up their family and the teacher shuts them down—because “we’re not allowed to talk about that”—the child learns that their family is something to be ashamed of. What a wonderful lesson to send a first grader.
And here’s the part no one wants to talk about: while schools are banning LGBTQ books in the name of “parental rights,” other states are requiring displays of the Ten Commandments in every classroom, or mandating that a Bible be present, or even that teachers develop lesson plans based on scripture. Where are the parental rights then? Why is one group’s religion prioritized while the rest are told to stay quiet?
Apparently, acknowledging that LGBTQ people exist is “indoctrination,” but turning classrooms into Bible studies is just “good moral values.” I’m climbing off my soap box now!
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Ari Joseph Bertine
Keep that soapbox handy, it's gonna be needed often with current trends. Keep making that comparison and make sure that the people in the back can hear. We cannot allow favoring any specific religious values to be normalized in the USA; freedom of religious choice is the entire reason for this country's existence.
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Christopher Michael Carlson
I think you may be overthinking it and maybe misinformed. There are NO schools other then private that are forced or required to write religious scripture based lesson plans or require the 10 commandments be present. There have been so who have voted to put up the 10 commandments but it wasn't a requirement.
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Parker George Haller
Oklahoma public schools are now required to have a Bible in every classroom and to incorporate it into their curriculum. I’d say that’s a few more than “NO schools other than private”. I think you may be uninformed and just not know, but other religions do exist and they may do not all follow the Bible. There’s nothing wrong with offer it as an option with the classroom, but it is mandated per Ryan Walters. I highly recommend you do a little research before you make generalizations and belittle someone with different beliefs than your own.
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James Trenton Smith
LGBTQ vs Evolution. LGBTQ = Apples, Evolution = Oranges. One is iniquity the other is a theory, both are a lie... The existence of LGBTQ is not relevant to small school children's education. If the schoolhouse has become a place to acknowledge the existence of LGBTQ, then the schoolhouse has become a place of indoctrination.
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Patricia Ann Gross
James, try telling that to a first grader who has two mommies or two daddies. Or do we just ignore the fact and force the child into the closet? The question is bound to come up, and teachers need to be prepared to address it without shaming or blaming the child. What better way than a children's book that the children can relate to and is age appropriate.
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James Trenton Smith
Teachers have no place slamming or blaming the child, and no one is suggesting that. Likewise, it is not the child "in the closet" and who would be forcing them into it? The discussion simply has no place in public school. They should be referred to the school counselor and bring the parents into it. The parents are who is responsible to answer these questions. The teacher has limited time and a classroom full of kids who need to learn the alphabet.
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Patricia Ann Gross
Teachers are placing the child of a same-sex couple "in the closet" by saying that they can't talk about it when someone asks why that child's family looks different than theirs. Passing the buck to the school counselor does exactly what? Bring the parents in and forcing them to take time off work, only delays an answer and creates more anxiety for both the child and the parents. It can also make the child of a same sex couple, or their family a target of harassment (I've seen it happen).
Kids also need to learn how to read, and somthing about history (called "social studies" in elementary school, at least where I went to school). Parents today are too concerned with anyone correcting their children or suggesting anything about right and wrong that might be different then their own. And my response to that is, then you need to home-school your child. Thinking you can sheild your child from anything that does not meet your definition of morality is a myth, and it is not appropriate to force public schools to shield the children when there are other definitions of morality are included in the student body.
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James Trenton Smith
And even after all that blah blah.... unsupervised discussions with another person's minor Children about the complexities of same-sex interpersonal relationships STILL has no place in schools AND with educators tasked with a curriculum. The schoolhouse is not designed for that. They do not have the resources or the time.
Furthermore, I have taught school... Would you want ME talking to YOUR kids about what the Bible says is sin? Or, would you want teachers to read a "script" of what is approved to say about the subject "when it comes up"? Because, I am absolutely going to tell them what the Bible says on the matter, regardless the consequences. Or have you thought that through? Teachers, by and large, want nothing to do with this subject. AND it's not the place for it. The place for this is counseling and with parents. The concept of "shielding" kids from this is as relevant as it would be shielding employees from such discussions on the job site. It's not a matter of shielding...it's a matter of applicability and appropriateness. Discuss what you want among your peers in the free time permitted. But if you want to open up this can of worms don't get mad when I tell YOUR kids what the bible says, because they are in my class, it has come up...-
Michael Hunt
There's nothing complex about explaining to a child that some children have two moms or two dads instead of a mom and a dad. You're not bringing sex into the conversion any more than you are when you teach your children that heterosexual relationships are okay.
Also, the existence of LGBTQ+ persons is backed by scientific study as determined by our biology, not by choice, and the theory of evolution is well supported by scientific study as well. Religion, on the other hand, has no evidence to support it being a factual retelling of history.
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James Trenton Smith
It's not a matter of complexity. It's a matter of appropriateness. I will not be answering ANY questions to ANY other person's children about their parent's interpersonal relationships. Especially when that person's interpersonal relationship is of a nature in conflict with MY belief system. In such a case, I would have no choice but to tell them something that YOU do not approve of. And, if YOU speak to my children about such matters in a manner that I do not approve of, I'll discuss it with you in the parking lot. This is why it's best that we agree to leave such matters up to the parent and outside of school. Most school teachers do not want to be caught in this crossfire.
When we dig a body from the ground and test it every way imaginable with all sampling necessary. Regarding this subject, there is nothing in the resulting data that would indicate ANYTHING other than male or female. There are no biological markers or genetic sequences that indicate how an individual identifies, feels, loves, etc. So ... no ... there really is no Science Mr. Hunt.
I will not be reading from any script or telling ANY child that anything about "LGBTQ+" is OK. I do not believe that it is...and I need not prove that to you or anyone. Moreover, would you really want a teacher to discuss such matters with your child if they feel it's not "OK"? I doubt that you would. Apparently the "H" community wants teachers to conform and perpetuate an Emperors New Cloths scenario with a scripted and approved answer to a question that has no place in an educational setting.
However, if the subject comes up and I have no choice but to speak on it. I will tell them the truth that the Bible reveals...word for word...regardless of the consequences.
By the way LGB is more than enough...the other alphabets form a redundancy....it can just be H, for what it is. Why use L for Lesbian and G for gay when gender is a construct? We can forge right past the gender identifying paradox with a gender-neutral term: Homosexual. That seems more logical Liberal Arts and Science to me. An L and a G seems to assume one's gender judging by the false outrage witnessed by those who are looking for a conflict with the Patriarchy.
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James Riggle-Johnson
James, if SCOTUS says parents have the right to opt their kids out of any discussion about LGBTQ, that same ruling can then apply to any other subject. It will be another court battle.
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James Trenton Smith
So be it. Congress shall make NO LAW proscribing an Institution of Religion or the free practice thereof. We also know that "THEY" will use the Law to destroy the Law. LGBTQ is not a subject to be discussed at school by teachers or administrators. If the school children talk about it among themselves at break or lunch, that is their business. This is not about "helping" the kids. This is about promoting an agenda. If I were your child's teacher, would you want ME discussing, aka HELPING them with, these issues... because I am absolutely going to tell them what Gods word says is true. Regardless, the consequences... So maybe the best idea is that WE don't talk to other people kids about this kind of stuff.
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James Riggle-Johnson
One more time… You do not need to teach about gay sex. It would go something like this.
Kid: Billy asks, “Why does Sally have two dads?”
Teacher: “Having two dads is okay. Families come in all shapes and sizes.”
End of discussion!
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James Trenton Smith
Or...
Teacher: I don't know...have you turned in your homework from yesterday?
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James Trenton Smith
The more I think about it the more I see that you want teachers to say the things that have been "approved". Ergo, agenda. Because is it really OK? What if the teacher is Christian, Muslim, or Jewish? All three of those "Institutions of Religion" say that homosexual relationships are absolutely not OK.
Do Families come in all shapes and sizes...maybe sizes, but not shapes. There are really only 3 ways this could play out. Mom & Dad, Dad and (Step)Dad, Mom and (Step)Mom. But in every case it was always a set of (Female-real mom)XX and (Male-real dad)XY Chromosomes that came together...every...single...time... There is literally only one mother and one father to every human being. Do you want a teacher to lie to the child if they believe that this is the case? Do you want them to tell the truth to the child as they know it? Or do you want them to read/speak from an approved script? Furthermore, if teachers read from an approved script something that is completely against their belief system, will they be punished if they refuse to comply or go "off-script"? I promise you that I will willfully, knowingly, and unapologetically tell YOUR child that babies come from only Men and Women...and that Sally does not have two dads, she has a dad and a "step-dad", but that she definitely has a mother somewhere....and that mother is a woman! So maybe...its best that we keep this subject out of the schools. Otherwise, you will have more conflict than not with persons having differing belief systems trying to navigate this subject. So it's really not "End of discussion" as soon as a parent comes and jams you up for telling his kid that its "OK" or "NOT OK" to be Gay, etc...ad nauseum.-
James Riggle-Johnson
You’re talking about beliefs. I’m talking about facts.
Whether Sally has two dads, or a dad and a stepdad, those are her parents. Period. That’s not about chromosomes—it’s about the family that’s raising her, loving her, and picking her up after school. It’s a fact that families come in many forms, and children deserve to see their families reflected in the world around them.
“Saying “she has a mother somewhere” might be biologically true—but using it to dismiss the two dads raising her isn’t helpful or neutral. It’s a way of erasing the people actually doing the parenting. Biology doesn’t raise a child—love, safety, and consistency do.”
Let’s be clear: being LGBTQ is not a belief system. These are real people, real families, and real students in our classrooms. This isn’t some future hypothetical. These children already exist, and they will have questions. If teachers can’t acknowledge that without moral judgment, then they’re not protecting anyone—they’re shaming children for who their families are.
Teachers aren’t there to share their personal religious views. They’re there to create a safe, respectful learning environment for all students—regardless of what belief systems they or their families come from. If a child asks where babies come from, the answer is simple: “That’s something to talk about with your parents.” Done. No sermon required.
This is about respect, not ideology. If we can’t agree that every child deserves that, then we’ve missed the whole point.
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Michael Hunt
This same logic would invalidate any adoptive parents. I don't care if neither of the parents provided genetic material to the child, they are still the child's mom(s) or dad(s). Just because you're not the biological parent of a child, doesn't mean you cannot be their parent.
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James Trenton Smith
So this actually is about "validation"...? You want a trusted teacher in authority to profess with their mouth ... to children ... that it is ok to be Gay - whether the teacher believes it or not?
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Michael Hunt
You are the one who is bringing validation into this by saying that non-biological parents aren't really parents and invalidating the time and effort they put into raising a child.
I would want a trusted teacher in authority to not hold discriminatory biases against certain groups because of their religious beliefs and then pass those beliefs on to the children they're supposed to help nurture.
Instead, I would hope that any teacher, regardless of their beliefs, would tell the child that there are some children who have same-sex parents and that child shouldn't be treated any differently because of it. They can then direct any further questions back to the parents.
Not so long ago, many Christians believed that being left-handed was a sign of the devil and they forced children to use their non-dominant hand. Now we accept that there's nothing wrong with being left-handed because that's not something a lefty has any control over, much like how people do not have control over who they are attracted to.
And what do you say to the children who are queer and are experiencing attractions that their trusted teachers aren't allowed to discuss? Do you tell them that their feelings are wrong and they shouldn't feel them?
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James Trenton Smith
No Sir. You are the one who brought "validation" into this with your quote here a couple of comments up: "...This same logic would invalidate any adoptive parents..."
If you feel that the word of God is "discriminatory" take it up with him. I would prefer not to speak on the subject with another person's children...and have made that completely clear.
Never once have I condoned treating a child in any discriminatory manner because of the deeds of their parents.
"...And what do you say to the children who are queer and are experiencing attractions that their trusted teachers aren't allowed to discuss? Do you tell them that their feelings are wrong and they shouldn't feel them?"
The answer to that is nothing...followed by "...did you turn in your homework assignment from yesterday?. I mind my own business. That is someone else's child. But, that's not good enough for the "H" crowd. We are expected to put our beliefs aside and answer in the manner that has been "approved and proscribed".
It's not good enough to abstain from participation and focus on the education curriculum. The "H" crowd wants Christian, Muslim, Jewish et.al. to validate and nurture their lifestyle choice that is direct opposition to their 1st. Amendment Protected religious beliefs. The "H" crowd wants them to profess with their mouths that these relationships are the same.
That is akin to poking a bear. You will find yourself in a War of which the consequences will be great.
Up through the mid-twentieth century in the United State, some sociologists and psychologists theorized that left-handedness was associated with stubbornness and criminality. In fact, even today some cultures consider the left hand to be “dirty.”
It is most certainly true that the laity and clergy were people of their culture and therefore shared some of the superstitions of their day, including prejudices against left-handedness. However, there was never an actual Church teaching on the matter, nor was there a systematic program against left-handedness.
So which Christians condemned "left handedness" Mr. Hunt? And are those Christians indicative of all Christians? If so, Mr. Hunt, are the recent mass school shooters who have been Trans...are they then indicative of all "Trans' people?
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Rev. B.D. Rees
When I was a kid growing up in Wichita Ks, I attended Public schools. I was taught a broad spectrum of subjects beside the regular reading, writing and math. The main thing I was taught was to THINK FOR MYSELF!! Let me repeat that: I was taught to THINK FOR MYSELF!! The children today are not being given an education that promotes that line of thought. Instead, they are being taught by their parents to be Intolerant Bigots and hiding it behind Religion and their Bible that they wrote!! We no longer have an education system that teaches... We instead have a system that churns out Hate, Bigotry, and discrimination one child at a time!
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Mark John Simpson
Parenting is hard enough these days. Parents have the final say as to what their children are exposed to and when. No board or agency or group or government has the right to challenge that. Any curriculum taught should be taught only to those that agreed upon it by pta and student body parents.
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Elizabeth Jane Erbe Wilcox
So you at ok with your children to be taught untruthful history, to never know the contributions made by Black citizens or Asian people.
Get educated, your stupidity looks ugly on you.
NO RELIGIOUS EXEMPTIONS! Put your kids in private, religious, charter or home school them. NOT ON THE TAXPAYER DIME.
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Alexander Clarke
White Christion history is what he wants taught not reality.
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James Trenton Smith
Your comment is wrong on so many levels. Mr. Simpson did not say anything like that.
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Patricia Ann Gross
He may not have said it, but that is exactly what would happen if it were left up to the community rather than the educators.
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Robert Gagnon
Totally agree, a social movement that many don't agree with should not be included in school curriculum on the tax payers dime. Why is it there in the first place? Lets be honest it is not about religion, it is about morals and the traditional family values. Not everyone looks the other way as their grade schoolers watch porn and mimic what they see on the internet. If you manage to keep your kid away from that, why should they be forced to consume these issues in school?
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Patricia Ann Gross
Robert, You are overstating things. What are "traditional family values" anyway? Two loving parents living in the same house? That doesn't happen in more than half the households in this country. The books are age-appropriate stories about children whose family might look a little different than yours. It may have people in it who do not look or act like your brothers and sisters. It's not about sex, nor is it porn. It's about family structures. There was similar uproar during the Jim Crow days, and even into the early 2000s when bi-racial couples were highlighted in stories, movies, TV, and on commercials. I keep saying here that if you see a couple together, married or otherwise, and the only thing you think about is how they have sex or what their genitals look like, you are the one that need help. Keeping your kid away from stories about these types of families are not going to keep them from encountering one, but it might give them an idea of what they are and how they might respond. It is not going to "turn them gay/trans or any other of the letters," nor is going to keep them from it. One day they might find someone to love for the rest of their lives. I hope and pray that you are a willing and accepting party in that relationship, no matter whether you approve or not, and for whatever reasons. Your kids deserve no less.
What are you going to say to your first grader when they ask why Johnny has two mommies, or why is Susie's mommy black and her daddy white? Kids are going to encounter these things, and part of the objective of education is to equip them to deal with it. Hiding it form them and pretending it doesn't exists only confused them.
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Robert Gagnon
And for the more than half of house holds where this has value you suggest it be destroyed. I was in second grade when another kid explained divorce to me. Went home and asked my parents this in 1967 after a 5 second pause they said that was his family, our family doesn't believe in that. I didn't have a teacher explaining the details about something my family didn't believe in. Just because others have a different life style or set (or lack of) morals doesn't mean every possibility has to be explained to minds that can't comprehend it. You mix gay issues with gender, two totally different subjects and bundle it together as a package to dump in a second graders lap. Children have no business in adult matters, let them be kids!
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Patricia Ann Gross
So, did you understand what divorce was after that conversation or just that your family "didn't believe in it." Therefore it didn't exist. How would you explain to your 2nd grade kid why Johnny has two mommies (or daddies) other than it is something you don't believe in? Would you rather they learn it from other kids who don't have any idea what they're talking about or someone who is trained in how to handle such questions?
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Robert Gagnon
I understood it was not an issue that concerned me. As Dad would say "Just because everybody is jumping off high buildings doesn't mean you have to also". We were taught to read the written word then look for what they weren't saying (between the lines). Prime example you say age appropriate books, but the content is not appropriate for most. And what credentials have you to make that statement without promoting a social agenda?
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Patricia Ann Gross
Robert,
The critical thinking skills I honed in 12 years of graduate school getting two masters and a doctorate tell me that "Uncle Bobby's Wedding" does not jump immediately to the wedding night/bed any more than the story of Cinderella and Prince Charming does. Again, if you want to isolate your children from the rest of society, then I suggest either a parochial school with your same "moral" codes or homeschool them and perhaps move to a wilderness somewhere. It's your choice. My tax dollars pay for public school and I prefer to have my children learn about all the nuances that they might run into when they enter society outside my supervision.
Shielding children from the differences that happens outside our own neighborhoods does not prepare them for what happens when they leave the nest, which they all will some day. Although these topics were not covered in the curriculum when my childrern were in school, they were aware they existed and I was always honest and open with them about what they were and what it meant. My feelings or judgements (whether or not I "believed in it") were never part of the conversation, I trusted them to make their own decisions for themselves. Neither of them turned out as gay or transgender just by learning about their existence. My daughter played softball in high school and her coach was an "out" lesbian whose parter had a child through artificial insemination, and they were always in the stands cheering the team on. Why? Because that's what families do, no matter what they look like.
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Robert Gagnon
That's great, teach them as you will at home and leave elementary school to the three r's. By early high school they will get the idea on their own then apply it if they decide critical thinking works for them.
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Patricia Ann Gross
Robert,
The sad reality is that often kids learn more about these types of issues when the situation arises from other kids than they do from either their teachers or parents. Be thankful that you and I had kids that would come home and ask us about such things rather than asking one of their friends. If you are afraid about misinformation, just wait until one of your kids (or your neighbor's kids) learns about sex from a friend and then decides to experiment on their own without any understanding of doing it safely, or the morality that you are worried about.
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Robert Gagnon
We didn't have the internet or the content from it that children are now exposed to. From the beginning of time kids experimented sometimes from a very early age. Appropriate behavior must be instilled from a very early age (before school) to avoid exploitation from others including other kids. Adult matters are just that for adults. Some families practice incest and see nothing wrong with it, does that mean the subject should be thoroughly discussed in a second grade class? Who draws the line where? Family orientation should simply be taught as being as different as each individual. There is no reason to explore and dissect every possible variable to a child. Teaching kids to be modest and to keep their private parts private is not teaching ignorance, it is for their own safety and well being. Explicit sexual relationships should be left out of school libraries and curriculum.
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James Trenton Smith
I'm not reading that at all from Mr. Simpsons comment. He is simply exploring the possibility of a solution to the problem of Public Schools teaching alternative sexual lifestyles under the guise of Biological Sexual Reproduction aka "Sex Education". He seeks to include parents in some way...even the ones who are not "white". By the way, that was an ugly thing for Alexander Clark to say....
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Minister Rob
Agreed James!
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Keith Graham Ainsworth
We can't have them taught to accept different values and attitudes, can we? They might even grow to understand differences in people
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Robert Gagnon
Sure learning that a social identity is real and biology is fluid. That damaging your body for life is perfectly normal. That sexual knowledge such as serious porn consumption in 4th and 5th grade won't be imitated. Either you don't have kids or don't respect the rights of other parents. Gender theory is a social disease and most people prefer not to expose children to it. It's not harmless like long hair in the 60's.
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Michael Hunt
Not even 100 years ago, people were saying that interracial marriage is a social disease that shouldn't be acceptable and that it's damaging society. This is the same argument you're making today except about same-sex couples. This has nothing to do with sex.
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Paul Francis Germana
The real Solution is the Essene Gospel Of Peace!
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James Trenton Smith
Thank you. I just looked that up and will study and understand this.
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Mary Lynne Lightowler
The idea of curriculum established by parents is my best laugh today. Parents aren't competent enough to determine the training for a child to end up being a fully capable being in their country. That's why we have a category of beings called educators. If you want continuing little pockets of hate and inequity among equal beings then that's the direction you'll choose. If you want all to be understanding and behaving from a comparable baseline, then you'll choose educators. Pockets of exclusion produce separation and them vs. us thinking which is so same old same old. Find the better way for all to handle what's needed for a truly marvelous better way for society today. Blessings.
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Nicholas J Page
LGBTQ Should not be in schools yes we are a different society these days but enough is enough don't bring this in.
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Elizabeth Jane Erbe Wilcox
Why not? What are you afraid of? Might your children learn that members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community are….. gasp……human beings who simply want to be allowed to live their lives just like you? WOW, that’s terrifying!
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Alexander Clarke
Then I guess they should remove LGBTQ students. And Black students and any other student that does not comport with WASP children. And while they at it they should remove Catholics, Jews, Mormons, etc. Only heterosexuals married couples could teach. The schools would be very small.
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Robert Gagnon
So blacks and Jews lack moral integrity? It's a WASP thing? You left out Latin people who are strong in family values and morals, more so than WASPs. And yes even hetero sexuality should be left out of education until late Junior high when kids minds are mature enough to process it properly. Let's discuss suicide in school and make it acceptable if you don't get what you want. Maybe removing the kids with mental identity issues to their own class like special ed in the past would solve all this. Then everyone can thrive. Kids can't multiply, lets concentrate on that and keep indoctrination of any kind including Christianity out of it.
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James Mounts
If you truly wanted to "simply be allowed to live your life just like you" you would not be trying to be someone else, you would be getting mental help.
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Patricia Ann Gross
James, what you don't get is they are wanting to be themself, not what somebody else thinks they should be.
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Michael Hunt
Who's trying to be someone else?
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James Trenton Smith
Mr. Page did question the humanity of any group. I read that the subject of LGBTQ should not be in schools. I agree with him. This is not sex education. It is an introduction to alternative sexual lifestyles, under the guise of "education", that has no place being discussed in schools with other persons children. It may be discussed with parents or with trusted persons in counseling. However, I am curious how you feel it appropriate to equate the real and historic struggle of black persons et.al. with the free-will choice to explore sexuality in one of the LGBTQIA+ ways? I am also curious as to why you equate the struggles of race relations with that of the CHOICE of sexual orientation. Are there any white children who "identify" LGBTQIA+ whatever? And, can we either argue or agree that the alphabet soup can stop at LGB...? Or, is it less about communication and more about recognition?
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Michael Hunt
The problem you are running into is the misconception that sexual preference/orientation is a choice. It's a biological impulse informed by our genetic makeup. Sexuality and gender are much more complex than the black-white binary that's been put upon it for so long. https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.aat7693
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James Trenton Smith
The problem that you are running into Mr. Hunt is the misconception that sin as a result of unchecked "biological impulses" get a pass from judgement. Biological "impulses", be they physical or psychological impact drug addiction, gambling, gluttony, and this. Gender is absolutely binary. We are either Male or Female and it really is that simple.
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Michael Hunt
Well according to people who have spent their lives studying these things in people, you're wrong. I'm personally going to follow the numerous studies performed by scientific experts on the spectrum that is gender and sexuality instead of a book that's thousands of years old and has been re-translated countless, countless times.
You're also falsely assuming that what you believe to be sin is viewed as sin for everyone. Some religions don't eat pork or beef but your religion doesn't find that to be sinful. How to you know that you're not sinning by eating pork or beef?
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James Trenton Smith
There is no science to validate that this is anything other than a choice. There are no genetic markers or proteins. There is nothing to measure. Gay and Straight people are genetically identical to all male and female persons as a whole.
There is NO way for "Science" to determine Heterosexual from Homosexual. Because there are no differing markers. We really are the same within our respective biology, born...as male...as female. And that's what is OK. Thank you Jesus...male and female created he them and all nations are formed from one blood.I do not falsely believe homosexuality to be a sin at all. It is absolutely a sin according to the doctrine of which I place my faith. This is what dictates MY actions. Whether other persons agree or not is irrelevant. I will not participate in what I conclude as wrong-doing because people of differing belief systems have concluded that my belief system is antiquated and/or mis-translated.
Furthermore, I am not asking you to teach or believe what I believe. I am warning that this is not a subject for school. But what the "H" community appears to want is for society in general - regardless of what anyone believes - is to profess with their mouths that a Homosexual Lifestyle is good and the same as a Heterosexual Lifestyle...and to profess that to children. I do not believe that it is, ergo I will neither participate nor tolerate it spoken to my children. Many in the "H" community now purports that failure to participate, or to speak to the contrary, is regarded as "violence". That's rich...how delusion can build upon delusion.
I assure you that even the topic of "violence" needs to quickly be removed from this discussion...because people tend to push back. Our children need to see us love one another...because we are the same
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Michael Hunt
Here's the science that validates a person's sexuality is tied to their genetics: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/search/research-news/4482/
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Michael Hunt
Sorry, here's a direct link to the study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31467194/
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Dan Anderson
Are we going to start banning students who happen to be left-handed next? (It was not that long ago that public schools did that.)
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Rev. MichaelRS
Good on the Supreme Court
All those books are designed to lure children to various aspects of the alphabet community.
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Minister Tim
Negative ghost rider. That is total BS, no one is messing with kids except youth pastors and catholic priests. If reading books determined anything about your sexuality I would be a straight Christian woman instead of a bi, transgender male, witch.
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ServantOfJudgement
I wish it weren't true Tim but public school puts a kid at greater risk than in a church though both are too high. You'll find that anywhere kids are, perverts navigate thata way.
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Minister Tim
We are well aware of your “dislike” of the LGBTQ+ community. Check the stats, we aren’t the problem.
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Reverend Paula Copp
Amen, brother! I’m a lesbian witch and my son is gay. My partner and I are not the problem; check out the reality of “straight white men” and child predators… the stats are disturbing…
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ServantOfJudgement
I never said gay people are the problem.
Members here come and go. I've told a thousand times that I don't care who people hook up with. It's never heard and if it is it's never believed. My conclusion is that most members here want to hate us straight white guys.
You'll find that molesters don't care what we think either and they don't care what their victims think.
Molesters go where kids are. I didn't say homosexuals do, I didn't say heterosexuals do, I said molesters do.
For the record: I hired a gay dude to be my sales manager before it was cool to hire gay dudes. I hang out and have beer with gay folk. I jam with gay folk. I let gay folk use my guitar, amp and microphone. I give had made maple whiskey (130 proof) from tree to flask to gay friends. It's a lot of work to make whiskey. It's not something you just give to anybody.
Tim, you said church is the problem and I told you otherwise, that's why you hate me. Humans are the problem.
And Paula, not only am I a straight white guy, I'm a straight white guy that drinks whiskey, sleeps under the stars rain, snow or shine, summer or winter with nothing but a fire and blanket. I'm as rugged as they make in the states and I ain't got a problem winning a pillow fight against a gay brother in a hotel in Chicago. Judge how you will, I don't care.
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Minister Tim
Just 2 things. First the church IS a reality big problem. The stats back it up. Second, I don’t hate anyone (except the current regime). I don’t hate you but Christians in general bother me when they push their religion pander beliefs on me and declare I’m sinning or going to hell. I want them to stop calling me a groomer and a pedo because I’m trans. LGBT books are going to lead anyone to the the alphabet groups. Honestly, it would have made my life much easier with those books and maybe someone to talk to. You’re either born a member of the LGBT community or you’re not. No one “turns” and those books might save a life. All we want is basic human rights. Right now they’re building camps for “illegals”. You think it will stop there? They are looking at ways to take away citizenship from anyone, even if you were born here and your family has been here generations. Some of us are now fighting for our lives. Don’t think you’re immune. Eventually being a straight white male won’t save you. Open your eyes.
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Lawrence A. Benson
So, if what you say is true, then we should abolish the public school system and make it mandatory that all children are homeschooled.
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Reverend Paula Copp
Rev. Michael, your knowledge of the LGBTQIA is sorely lacking, but judging from your comments, you really don’t care. What a shame. I feel very badly for you. Blessed be.
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Steven Ferrell
Parents are to protect their children from harm. Teaching children the LBGXYZ alphabet stuff is harmful to young minds. Parents should have the right to protect their children from that.
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James Riggle-Johnson
The mere mention of two dads or two moms tells a child that these people exist. It does not teach them to become that, nor does it say two men or two women are sleeping together and having sex. People need to get their minds out of the gutter.
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Jon E Dare
I remember when my religious parents didn’t want us learning sex education in school. They opted us out and we got sent to the library to study and do homework. I believe parents have the right to protect their children, but they also can’t force their beliefs on other parents and kids!
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Patricia Ann Gross
So, many question: Does this give homosexual parents the right to "opt out" books and stories about heterosexual couples? If not, why? Can white couples opt their children out of stories about interracial couples? Agan, why? If the stories are about a family, that's one thing, but they are making it about sex. If you see a married couple on TV or read about one in a book, is your first thought "what type of sex do they have? -or- is it "what is their family like?" Why should this matter whether the couple is LGBTQIA+ or not? What if it is an interfaith marriage/relationship? Choosing can take all types of forms, not just what clothes you want to wear or what the sex/gender identity. Next if I want to write a children's book about choosing whether to play football or soccer, then I suppose someone will get their knickers twisted about that too. Did "Little Red Riding Hood" push people to feed their grandparents to wolves? Come on. One more step to the complete erasure of the LGBTQIA+ communities. TQIA+ has been well on it's way since this administration took office. The rest isn't far behind.
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Christopher Charles Douglas Paradis
Comment removed by user.
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Rev. Roe
My my, we have come a long way over the years but I am not sure it has all been in the right direction. Parents should be teaching their children about these differences in sexuality at the ages they are able to understand. It seems we passed through the same problems with excepting races other than our own. Perhaps some parents might be the problem. May God Bless all his children.
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Rev Ned
BOO!!! 🌈 🌈 !!! Terrifying isn’t it?!?
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James Trenton Smith
Yes ... the insanity of it is .... but the Spirit behind it, most of all ... I would be careful talking to other peoples children about things the parents do not approve of. Right or wrong, things tend to happen when "fear" is involved...
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Lion on the Beach
Parents have more rights than just protecting their children from harmful material and lessons in and out of school. Indoctrination is not good or healthy for children at any age.
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James Riggle-Johnson
Indoctrination is defined as “the process of teaching a person or group to accept a set of beliefs without question.” Religion, by its very nature, fits that definition—and in fact, examples of indoctrination often include divinity training or faith-based instruction.
But acknowledging that LGBTQ people exist, or teaching children that families come in different forms, isn’t indoctrination. It’s not promoting a belief—it’s stating a fact. It’s no more an attempt to “convert” someone than teaching that some kids have single parents or are raised by grandparents. Recognizing diversity doesn’t make a child become something they’re not. It simply teaches them not to be afraid of people who are different.
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Gary Michael Steele
As a LGBT person, I understand the sentiment. But parents should be aware that many of their kids will commit suicide. If that’s what they want if their kids are LGBTQ, then they are not fit parents and have no business claiming to be Christian.
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James Trenton Smith
That sounds more like a counseling need for a small percentage or persons than a school curriculum thing for everyone.
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Anthony W Stevenson
Supreme Court made the right decision. To allow a mentally ill cause in public schools would be a travesty.
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Ari Joseph Bertine
Parents should have a say in any content they don't want their child exposed to, including religious ideation of any sort, or any sexuality material including homosexual OR heterosexual marriages, and procreation. They might look very stupid protecting their children from learning about the existence of something, but it's still their right.
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Christopher Michael Carlson
Yes, I absolutely believe parents should have the right to opt their children out of things that conflict with their highly held beliefs and faith. I understand there is a fine line that cannot be crossed or people would be opting their children out of PE just because they're to lazy and don't like excersize, oh wait they already do that.
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Christopher Michael Carlson
Yes, I absolutely believe parents should have the right to opt their children out of things that conflict with their highly held beliefs and faith. I understand there is a fine line that cannot be crossed or people would be opting their children out of PE just because they're to lazy and don't like excersize, oh wait they already do that.
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Walter J. Holbrook
there needs o be more talk on this
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Lawrence A. Benson
I have read some very interesting comments on this post. Most of them come from a 'Live and let live" perspective, and some from a "Do as I say" perspective. Just some food for thought. If your child came home from catechism/bible studies class and showed you the reading material that was being used in that class, and you disagreed with the philosophy of the lesson, would you go to your minister/rabbi, etc., and "demand" that the book or lesson be banned? In reality, do any of us totally and unconditionally agree with everything that our religious faiths profess to be true? Isn't it "God's " teachings that we're given the virtue of deciphering the difference between what is good and evil, right and wrong? If that's true, then who are we to judge?
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James Trenton Smith
We are to judge for the sake of discernment rather than condemnation. We must judge a situation to determine whether we will participate in it or not.
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Nekki Smith-Hickson
If you really believe Yahusha is your Lord and Savior. If you believe that Elohim is your creator, then you must not go against his divine nature! This topic is an abomination! No matter how you feel you can not serve two masters! Either follow Elohim or follow the Devil! He loves you that much that he gave us a choice! Your feeling are what the devil is counting on! Blessings.
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Christopher Charles Douglas Paradis
I noticed that a lot of the posts conveniently leave out that it was both Muslim and Christian faiths that wanted opt out freedoms. Most posts only focus on Christians.
Public schools are funded by taxpayers. I wouldn't want my tax dollars funding indoctrination. We were told years ago the schools were to be secular and focus on reading, writing, science, history and physical education. Religion was banned from schools. The alternative lifestyle teachings are in fact doctrine to the LGBTQ+/😀 congregation. That group can instill those values in their children at home while Christian, Jewish, Muslim, etc can instill their values at home, not in public schools.
A lot of kids struggle with the academic aspects of education but I bet they know what a pronoun is. It seems if educators put that same effort in academics as they do with social justice issues these kids would be excelling.
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James Trenton Smith
Well said.
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James Trenton Smith
Well said
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Michael Hunt
Would it be indoctrination to teach children about gravity? How about molecular structures? These scientific topics are just as scientific as the existence of LGBTQ+ people. This isn't about believing that these things exist, it's acknowledging that there's proof that they do exist.
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Blake Andrew Tallman
first off u cant hide any of this the young need to know that those of us that like the same sex r us as well otherwise they teach the young to continue to hate others and im a gay guy as it is so if the young dont know that we r us then as they get older they will hate us too and attack us and kill us much like thier guardians already do
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Paul Johnson
They wouldn't be called parents if they were suppose to forfeit that resonsibility. It's time to take back the responsibility should lie and that's with the parents not the school teacher. What ever you think is right doesn't always mean that you are. The enemy never sleeps so be on guard, are he will steal your childeren. Thank you SCOTUS!!
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Alexander Clarke
There is no more corrupt entity that the Supreme Court. There agenda is the Republican agenda of white washing history and dictating that right wing extremist Christian "values" are taught. There is nothing worse that religion.
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James Trenton Smith
I would have to agree. I mean it was the Supreme Court who approved of the "3/5ths. A Man" law in 1787 giving the slave master MORE voting power. It was them who upheld locking up and confiscating property of US Japanese Citizens in 1944. It was them who upheld the Jim Crow laws in 1896. It was them who denied black men citizenship in the Dred Scott decision of 1857. It was them who upheld unlimited corporate spending in political campaigns in 2010. There is obviously much more...but, that alone speaks of the apparent corruption of man's institutions. But, somehow parents who do not want their children introduced to alternative sexual lifestyles under the guise of "Sex Education" are White, Right-wing, Republican Extremists whitewashing history. I would be willing to bet that there are some red, yellow, black, and brown persons who oppose this type of "education" also...surprisingly just like some white people do. I guess we need all those adjectives to make the point that "Religion", in general, is far worse than everything else...everything including sex trafficking, slavery, etc.
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Dr. Zerpersande, NSC
Of course the Supreme Court voted as they did. What did you expect?
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James Trenton Smith
No one should be talking to other persons children about sex at all - straight or gay - without the approval of the parent. Who does that? I don't see why it is even a question.
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Patricia Ann Gross
These are children's books and stories for children about things children do. They aren't about sex any more than Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, or Snow White were about sex. If the parents want to isolate their children from all aspects of society then they need to send them to a parochial school or home-school them. (My humble opinion.) Children are some day going to meet a gay or trans person, and complete isolation from that can be damaging from several perspectives. The right/wrong of relationships are sadly, not the parent's choice to make. The best they can do is teach them how to make the decisions and what all to consider in doing so.
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James Trenton Smith
Elementary school is not the place to develop these relationships. That is the responsibility of the parent at home. School is for math, science, and reading...etc.
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Patricia Ann Gross
So, do you suggest we also keep them from reading "Little Red Riding Hood" (elder violence, causing childen to feed their grandparents to wolves")? There are heterosexual couples in Cinderella, Snow White, and other "fairy tales," so should we prohibit them too? I guess they all are gone too, because they talk about "relationships." They aren't developing these relationships in school, but learning about what makes up the society that surrounds them. That would be part of the Social Studies/History curriculum.
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Michael Hunt
And what about the elementary school kids who develop attractions to people of the same sex? Are we just supposed to pretend that those feelings we have don't exist?
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Jon E Dare
Sexual education in the classroom has always been a thing. There’s nothing wrong with representing all aspects of sexual gender and orientation, but you’re right, parents should have the right and control of what their child sees. The school should present that kind of curriculum to the parents so they can decide, but no one religion should dictate what is taught.
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James Trenton Smith
"Sex Education" is a misnomer. Biology would be the subject. It is a little obvious that people should not be talking about alternative sexual lifestyles with other people's children under the guise of Biological Sexual Reproduction...regardless their Religion. This is as much a secular matter as it is a Religious one.
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Levi Johnson
Just tell me how you call that a blow. Are they recruiting?
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Stuart ball
Well it clearly states in the bible that a man should be with a woman anything else is a abomination and we want our flag back and the only thing the word pride has done for anyone is get a archangel kicked out of heaven
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Rev. B.D. Rees
What Bible would that be Stuart? The King James version, the Koran, The teachings of Budda, The Bible according to the Mormans??? Who Clearly states that being Gay is an abomination??? Christ never said a word about being Gay... You need to stop your Hate and Bigotry Stuart and try a little empathy toward your fellow man! The greatest commandment is to " Love one another as I have Loved you "!! Start living what Christ taught us and quit blaming any shortcomings on others ... What is Sin to you, may just be a circumstance of birth to another... Peace and Love to you my brother.
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LaDonna Lynn Williams
Well. The government has already banned religion in our schools. Um. So. Why use religion now? We are all created uniquely. So much to having our own fingerprints to exact. Should a parent not want their child to be exposed to "anything", that is their right. Just figure it out in which all parties are happy. Isn't that what life is about? Happiness In yourself. Your environment, your right to be you, and not be outcasted because of it.
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Shawn David Spencer
On this issue I feel it should be up to the teacher. This is a matter of learning and education, which is the teachers responsibility. Whether parents like it or not this is a subject that has become a part of our history as a country. To deny them the ability to learn about it would be to deny them the chance to understand what happened leaving the possibility of a teachers failure to educate their students of the historical recorded accounts. So this should be there decision since it will be their responsibility to bare if they fail to do their job.
Taking 16 percent of the population and segregating it from the rest is just the same as Jim crow laws. It was wrong then, still wrong now. Parents who don't let thier kids learn about other cultures raise ignorant bigoted children.
Excellent and well said. I was about to respond with the same but will just endorse your comment. After spending my entire existence dealing with bigotry I was hoping we could finally break that generational curse but the bigots seem intent on continuing the hate. We exist and no matter how much you keep it from your children they will find it out. And for crying out loud, no one is grooming or luring your children into the alphabet community. If books caused folks to be a part of the community, I would be a straight cisgender female with the books I had to read. Thankfully I turned out to be a happy, well rounded, bisexual, trans male witch. This has got to stop someday.