Overview

• The Supreme Court reversed lower-court rulings, signaling that parents with religious objections cannot be forced to have their children attend LGBTQ storybook readings, although the decision is not yet final.
• Montgomery County schools adopted five LGBTQ-themed books in 2022, including Prince & Knight and Uncle Bobby’s Wedding, to promote diversity while initially offering exemption rights.
• After ending opt-outs in 2023 due to logistical issues and concerns about student isolation, the school board faced protests that helped propel the lawsuit.
• The 6-3 conservative majority applied strict scrutiny to the curriculum policy in line with its recent rulings favoring religious freedom claims.
• The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty defended the parents’ challenge, while Pen America and the Freedom From Religion Foundation cautioned that it could lead to a de facto book ban.