Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland has decided it will no longer allow parents to opt out of their children receiving instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation, going against the wishes of religious parents.
This decision was made last March but recently caused controversy when more than 70 parents showed up at a school board meeting to protest. These parents say the lessons violate their religious beliefs and that they have a right to have a say in their children’s education.
Parents are furious about age-inappropriate books being implemented in elementary school classrooms, such as “Uncle Bobby’s Wedding,” which is about same-sex marriage and is read by kindergarteners. Parents are uncomfortable with the books that are given to pre-teen children, considering them not appropriate for their age.
They also want the right to choose a lesson that goes against their faith. Montgomery County Public Schools accused the policy of creating “inclusive classrooms” and, in an email, said parents would no longer be notified of gender identity lessons via letters.
‘It’s Not Appropriate’: Parents Call Out School Board For Refusing To Let Students Opt-Out Of Gender Identity Lessons | The Daily Caller https://t.co/VHsWgiOaRN
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Furthermore, parents would not have the option to opt out of any education, except a course in sex education. The school wants to promote full inclusion, but it does so by sacrificing the religious beliefs of neighborhood families.
Montgomery County Moms for Liberty, a group of parents protested the policy through peaceful campaigning. They have contacted nearby inter-municipal grassroots groups, including Muslim and Chinese communities, who are helping them push back.
The goal of these groups is to seek out community leaders and work with them to bring attention to this issue. The push to remove children from inappropriate lessons and books are not because parents are anti-LGBTQ, but because they demand age-appropriate lessons that don’t go against their religious beliefs.
Parents have the right to dictate their children’s education and learning, and the Montgomery County Public Schools decision went against those rights. It is unfortunate that the school board has decided to ban a family’s religious beliefs under the guise of inclusion.
Parenthood should not be shared with the government, and parents have the right to limit their children’s exposure to certain topics. Moms for Liberty is preparing to take legal action against the school board if it does not reverse its decision.
