Reading the U.S. Supreme Courtâs ruling on LGBTQ-inclusive books in public schools (as I did on the day the decision came out in June) might have led you to believe that many religious parents in Montgomery County, Maryland were worried about gay books. They really wanted to opt out their children from exposure to these books, it seemed.
Oh, I suppose âthousandsâ of parents indeed may have had feelings about their kids handling gay books, as âone community member testified.â (Video: 35:33â35:44)
![Mahmoud v Taylor. Shortly after the Board rescinded parental opt outs, more than 1,000 parents signed a petition asking the Board to restore opt out rights. And hundreds of displeased parentsâŚappeared at the Boardâs public meetings and implored the Board to allow opt outs. At a May 2023 meeting, one community member testified that âthousandsâ of parents felt âdeeply dismayed and betrayedâ by the rescission of opt outs from âcontent that conflict[s] with their sincerely held religious beliefs.â](https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:1320/format:webp/1*v2EDws7rChL2qbLGy4S5eA.jpeg)
