Mahmoud v Taylor: Supreme Court rules Maryland students can opt out of LGBTQ-themed classes, Trump admin says 'big win'
Supreme court ruled in favor of religion and said Maryland students can't be forced to read books with gay, transgender characters.
The
Supreme Court
ruled Friday that Maryland parents can pull their children from lessons that cover LGBTQ-themed topics. The Trump administration called it a major win as the administration favored for religious liberty, parental rights against forced LGBTQ lessons.
"The Court rightfully held that schools can't shut parents out or disregard their religious obligations to their children. A great day for parents and education champions!" education secretary Linda McMahon said.
What is the Mahmoud v Taylor case?
In 2022, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) in Maryland introduced supplemental LGBTQ-themed books for kindergarten through 5th grade, first offering parents the option to opt out. In March 2023, MCPS ended the opt-out, citing administrative burden and concerns over stigmatizing LGBTQ students.
One book, Uncle Bobby's Wedding, features a gay character who is getting married, while another, Born Ready: The True Story of a Boy Named Penelope, is about a transgender child.
A coalition of Muslim, Roman Catholic, and Orthodox Christian parents filed suit, claiming the no-opt-out policy burdened their religious rights.
The Montgomery Board of Education and Montgomery County Public Schools released a joint statement on today's US Supreme Court decision:
"Today's decision is not the outcome we hoped for or worked toward.
It marks a significant challenge for public education nationwide. In Montgomery County Public Schools, we will determine next steps and navigate this moment with integrity and purpose—guided, as always, by our shared values of learning, relationships, respect, excellence, and equity."
Several conservative justices, including Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett, expressed sympathy in April 2025 towards the parents and ultimately leaned towards requiring schools to give parents an opt-out. However, no decision was made then, and the high court decided to push an official ruling to June.
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