A federal judge has ruled in favor of a Massachusetts dad seeking to opt his five-year-old son out of story books depicting LGBTQ relationships, which conflict with his Christian beliefs.
According to the faith-based non-profit legal group, Liberty Counsel, the father originally requested that school officials exempt his son from lessons and programs that cover issues of sexual orientation and gender identity.
The district denied his request, stating the opt-out was “overly broad.” Additionally, they refused to provide him with advance notice of any LGBTQ content that would be presented to the class.
“Despite his specific opt-out request, the district then exposed his child to the ‘read aloud’ video book Families, Families, Families! by Suzanne Lang depicting anthropomorphized animals with same-sex parents,” a press statement from Liberty Counsel explains.
The dad filed a lawsuit against the school with the help of the Massachusetts Liberty Legal Center and the American Center for Law and Justice, citing that his First Amendment rights were violated.
“In court, the father presented 10 books from the elementary school’s kindergarten curriculum, including All Are Welcome featuring LGBTQ+ families, Prince & Knight and Maiden & Princess telling same-sex romantic stories, and This Day in June depicting leather outfits and same-sex couples kissing,” reads a press release by Liberty Counsel.
Liberty founder and Chairman Mat Staver responded to the decision, writing in a statement, “This ruling reinforces that parents have the right to direct the religious upbringing of their children.”
“Forcing children to be exposed to offensive instruction that is antithetical and hostile to their parents’ religious beliefs is unconstitutional,” he continued. “Parents have the First Amendment right to direct the education and provide for the welfare of their children free from government coercion that conflicts with their faith.”
