Judge Rules Maryland Parents Have No Right to Opt Their Children Out of LGBTQ Curriculum

A judge appointed by President Biden has ruled that Maryland parents have no right to opt their children out of an LGBTQ curriculum being implemented in schools.

This ruling has been met with criticism from some parents who feel it undermines their ability to make decisions about what topics are appropriate for their children’s education.

The decision highlights the ongoing debate over the role of ‘woke’ curriculum in public education and how far parents should have a say in what is taught to their children.

Becket, a non-profit law firm, represented multiple parents in the district who sought an injunction before the first day of school on August 28.

This was due to the district’s policy change in March which no longer allowed parents to opt their children out of materials that advocated pride parades, gender transitioning, and pronoun preferences for kids as young as pre-kindergarten.

The lawsuit alleged that this policy violated their First Amendment religious rights to determine their children’s educations.

In a press release, Becket explained, “The new ‘inclusivity’ books were announced last fall for students in pre-K through fifth grade. However, instead of focusing on basic principles of respect and kindness, the books champion controversial ideology around gender and sexuality. For example, one book tasks three and four-year-olds to search for images from a word list that includes ‘intersex flag,’ ‘drag queen,’ ‘underwear,’ ‘leather,’ and the name of a celebrated LGBTQ activist and sex worker. Another book advocates a child-knows-best approach to gender transitioning, telling students that a decision to transition doesn’t have to ‘make sense’; teachers are instructed to say doctors only ‘guess’ when identifying a newborn’s sex anyway. Other books focus on children’s romantic feelings.”

“The School Board revoked notice and opt-outs for these storybooks earlier this year, contrary to Maryland law and the Board’s policies,” the law firm added. “Even the Board’s elementary school principals protested that the books were age-inappropriate, dismissive of students’ religious beliefs, and present as facts information that is not factual.”

Judge Boardman rejected the arguments, claiming in her ruling that “the plaintiffs’ asserted due process right to direct their children’s upbringing by opting out of a public-school curriculum that conflicts with their religious views is not a fundamental right.”

“Because the plaintiffs have not established any of their claims is likely to succeed on the merits, the Court need not address the remaining preliminary injunction factors,” Judge Boardman added. “Nonetheless, because a constitutional violation is not likely or imminent, it follows that the plaintiffs are not likely to suffer imminent irreparable harm, and the balance of the equities and the public interest favor denying an injunction to avoid undermining the School Board’s legitimate interests in the no-opt-out policy . . . The plaintiffs seek the same relief pending appeal as in their preliminary injunction motion: an injunction that requires the Board to provide advance notice and opt-outs from instruction involving the storybooks and family life and human sexuality. For the reasons stated in this opinion, the Court cannot conclude the plaintiffs are likely to succeed on the merits of an appeal. The plaintiffs’ request for a preliminary injunction pending appeal is denied.”

Becket is bringing the case to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.

“Parents know and love their children best; that’s why all kids deserve to have their parents help them understand issues like gender identity and sexuality,” said Eric Baxter, vice president and senior counsel at Becket. “The School Board’s decision to cut parents out of these discussions flies in the face of parental freedom, childhood innocence, and basic human decency.”

“The court’s decision is an assault on children’s right to be guided by their parents on complex and sensitive issues regarding human sexuality,” Baxter continued. “The School Board should let kids be kids and let parents decide how and when to best educate their own children consistent with their religious beliefs.”

ICYMI: Public Schools in Seattle Offer Sex-Change Services to Children as Young as 13 – Without Telling Parents

18 thoughts on “Judge Rules Maryland Parents Have No Right to Opt Their Children Out of LGBTQ Curriculum

  1. Ted Weiland August 26, 2023 at 12:09 pm

    Parenting is non-optional God-expected responsibility, not an optional Enlightenment right.

    This is but more fallout from the 18th-century founders replacing biblical responsibilities (based on triune moral law) with Enlightenment rights.

    See blog article “America’s Road to Hell: Paved With Rights” at https://www.constitutionmythbusters.ORG/americas-hell-paved-with-rights/

    Furthermore:

    “…'[A] society which makes freedom its primary goal will lose it, because it has made, not responsibility, but freedom from responsibility, its purpose. When freedom is the basic emphasis, it is not responsible speech which is fostered but irresponsible speech. If freedom of press is absolutized, libel will be defended finally as a privilege of freedom, and if free speech is absolutized, slander finally becomes a right. Religious liberty becomes a triumph of irreligion. Tyranny and anarchy take over. Freedom of speech, press, and religion all give way to controls, totalitarian controls. The goal must be God’s law-order, in which alone is true liberty.’5

    “True liberty is found only in Yahweh’s perfect law of liberty:

    ‘But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.’ (James 1:25)

    “James was not describing some New Covenant law that freed us to do whatever we wish. That kind of freedom is nothing more than baptized humanism, which eventually leads to anarchism, one of the quickest paths to legal slavery. Instead, James described the same perfect law of liberty – Yahweh’s commandments, statutes, and judgments – as did King David:

    ‘So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever. And I will walk at liberty….’ (Psalm 119:44-45)….”

    For more, see Chapter 11 “Amendment 1: Government-Sanctioned Polytheism” of free online book “Bible Law vs. the United States Constitution: The Christian Perspective” at https://www.bibleversusconstitution.ORG/BlvcOnline/blvc-index.html

    Reply
  2. Ted Weiland August 26, 2023 at 12:12 pm

    Parenting is non-optional God-expected responsibility, not an optional Enlightenment right.

    This is but more fallout from the 18th-century founders replacing biblical responsibilities (based on triune moral law) with Enlightenment rights.

    See blog article “America’s Road to Hell: Paved With Rights” at Bible versus Constitution dot org. Search title on our Blog

    Furthermore:

    “…'[A] society which makes freedom its primary goal will lose it, because it has made, not responsibility, but freedom from responsibility, its purpose. When freedom is the basic emphasis, it is not responsible speech which is fostered but irresponsible speech. If freedom of press is absolutized, libel will be defended finally as a privilege of freedom, and if free speech is absolutized, slander finally becomes a right. Religious liberty becomes a triumph of irreligion. Tyranny and anarchy take over. Freedom of speech, press, and religion all give way to controls, totalitarian controls. The goal must be God’s law-order, in which alone is true liberty.’5

    “True liberty is found only in Yahweh’s perfect law of liberty:

    ‘But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.’ (James 1:25)

    “James was not describing some New Covenant law that freed us to do whatever we wish. That kind of freedom is nothing more than baptized humanism, which eventually leads to anarchism, one of the quickest paths to legal slavery. Instead, James described the same perfect law of liberty – Yahweh’s commandments, statutes, and judgments – as did King David:

    ‘So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever. And I will walk at liberty….’ (Psalm 119:44-45)….”

    For more, see Chapter 11 “Amendment 1: Government-Sanctioned Polytheism” of free online book “Bible Law vs. the United States Constitution: The Christian Perspective” at Bible versus Constitution dot org. Click on the top entry on our Online Book page and scroll down to Chapter 11

    Reply
    1. Recce August 27, 2023 at 1:30 am

      This abysmal ruling IS NOT due to the adoption of the Constitution, which you despise. Nor are we nor were we intended to be a theocracy, especially based on Levitical-Deuterronomical law, by the Founders or the Framers.

      As for your numerous quotes, both here and elsewhere, let readers know they come from your own writings, certainly not the Gospel which you seem to reject.

      Reply
  3. James August 26, 2023 at 12:48 pm

    Woke indoctronation and LGBTQ along with abortion support is a Democratic method of birth/population control.

    Reply
  4. jerry1944 August 26, 2023 at 12:54 pm

    Parents do NOT have to take that from this judge stand up and fight for the kids Dont let this judge get away witth it Make the school board fight are get rid of them also Darn What does it take for dems to see the truth We know they love to be slave to dems but what about there kids they want to make slave of the also

    Reply
    1. Bob August 26, 2023 at 5:15 pm

      As I see it there are two options. Home school and stop paying taxes for this school that believes they know better than parents. If I don’t believe the school is doing their jobs or are over stepping their authority. My kids are out if there.

      Reply
    2. teresa August 26, 2023 at 5:34 pm

      can’t believe that you actually have biden supporters, who think all the mess he has done in this country, is a good thing! they need to go then we good common sense Americans can get back to the way we are supposed to be – fair, truthful and patriotic! shame on you haters. yes these parents and all parents who have any brains should either take your kids out of school and home school or try to sue the ridiculous establishment

      Reply
  5. mountain man August 26, 2023 at 1:08 pm

    Sounds like this is not a judge or someone who needs to decide anything for others..he has no idea what law is when he can’t even tell the difference between male and female by allowing such sick crap in the first place..no …he has mental. Problems like the queers do

    Reply
  6. Drosack August 26, 2023 at 3:31 pm

    Thanks Joey. AAAHHHhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

    Reply
  7. Bea August 26, 2023 at 3:35 pm

    BE A PARENT! It requires being responsible, sacrificing, & putting one’s child first. Take your children immediately out of that school. Find a way even if it is temporary. Once the school has no students they will change their tune since their money is tied in & invested in your children. No children/no money for the school district. Do not wait or try to protest first. Protest after the children are removed from the school.

    Reply
  8. madmemere August 26, 2023 at 5:39 pm

    Wacko black-robe Boardman needs to be defrocked, thrown off the bench and LOSE her law license, permanently; her ruling that ” parents have NO fundamental right to control their children’ education” IS WRONG, in fact, it is DEAD WRONG!! Waaayyyy off base and of “communist ideology”. AWAY WITH HER, exile her to North Korea, she will have a hay day there.

    Reply
  9. Army Strong August 26, 2023 at 6:35 pm

    The School Board and Superintendent should be sued for damages to the children, parents, and community with recommendations to higher court for criminal negligence against children. Several adults need prison time.

    Reply
  10. Jerome from Layton August 26, 2023 at 7:05 pm

    Do they have Judicial confirmation elections in Maryland?
    I remember about 25 years ago, the voters “cleaned house” and canned seven Justices.

    Reply
  11. Patriot1951 August 26, 2023 at 7:31 pm

    GET YOUR KIDS OUT OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS NOW!

    Reply
  12. Phillip R. Lake August 26, 2023 at 9:02 pm

    Sounds like there needs to be one less black robed nut job that needs to be removed from the public. It would be a cold day in hell that I would allow ANYONE to tell me that I WILL raise my children against my freedom of choice. The winds of dissention are growing stronger each day with these fools.

    Reply
  13. Bob Ash August 27, 2023 at 9:54 am

    This so called decision must be appealed. Are we living in a Russia type country now. The founding fathers are rolling in their graves.

    Reply
  14. Homer August 28, 2023 at 6:00 am

    HERE are two Laws of Sharia that most do not know, in fact most Muslims do not know; 1. S/L no#1 says that a Muslim is “OBLIGATED” to LIE to fulfill Allahs commands as in to commit JIHAD against all non-Muslims. S/L No#2 says that all Muslims are “OBLIGATED” to commit JIHAD against Non-Muslims. See no#1 above..

    Reply
  15. Mom secures parental rights victory after school ‘transitioned’ child without consent – Tania Joy TV September 1, 2023 at 8:46 am

    […] ICYMI: Judge Rules Maryland Parents Have No Right to Opt Their Children Out of LGBTQ Curriculum […]

    Reply

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