Attorneys general from around the nation are getting involved in local school board fight

A Maryland school board has found itself embroiled in controversy after they included books with LGBTQ+ characters and themes into the curriculum.

The district doesn’t provide parents with an option to force their children to “opt out” of reading required literature. Parents have sued, saying state law gives them that right.

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In August, a federal judge ruled that parents don’t have the right to opt their kids out of classes because teachers use books with LGBTQ+ characters. The parents insisted that the children’s books constituted “sex education.”

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According to a district statement on its “Inclusive and Welcoming Learning” initiative, the LGBTQ+-inclusive materials are part of the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) efforts to cultivate “an inclusive and welcoming learning environment” and “to create opportunities where all students see themselves and their families in curriculum materials.”

While the judge’s decision against the parents allowed the books to be used in this academic year’s curriculum, the full court case hasn’t been decided yet.

In a friend-of-the-court briefing to the court filed on October 31, 19 attorneys general spoke up for the district’s policy, pointing out that schools have a responsibility to provide a safe and respectful environment for all students and that the district’s policy does not raise any constitutional concerns.

Attorneys General of California, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Washington joined the brief.

Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown is leading the effort to defend the district from the parents’ attack on diversity and inclusive schools.

“Every student deserves to learn and grow in a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment,” Massachusetts Attorney General Joy Campbell said in a press release announcing the state will join the effort. “My office is proud to join Maryland in advocating for LGBTQ+ youth in their state and across the country.”

“MCPS remains committed to cultivating an inclusive and welcoming learning environment and creating opportunities where all students see themselves and their families in curriculum materials,” the district said after winning the first round.

“We also will continue to adhere to our responsibility to include instructional materials that reflect the diversity of the local and global community by exploring the aspirations, issues, and achievements of women and men, people with disabilities, people from diverse racial, ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds, as well as those of diverse gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation.”