Parents in Maryland are fighting back against the Montgomery County Board of Education for forcing pre-K and elementary-aged children to read controversial books that promote a one-sided transgender ideology, encourage gender transitioning, and focus excessively on romance—with no parental notification or opportunity to opt out. Parents from a variety of faiths—including Islam, Judaism, and Christianity—are united in seeking to guarantee their children an age-appropriate education that is consistent with their faith and sound science. These parents simply ask to be notified when the books will be read to their children and to be given an opportunity to opt out. By denying these longstanding arrangements, the Board is violating the parents’ inalienable and constitutionally protected right to control the religious upbringing of their children, especially on sensitive issues concerning family life and human sexuality.

On May 24, 2023, Becket filed a federal lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for Maryland to protect parents’ right to opt their children out of school activities that infringe on their right to direct their children’s upbringing on sensitive religious matters. The district court heard oral arguments on August 9, 2023.