New York State education leaders respond to Supreme Court ruling on LGBTQ+ curriculum

New York State education leaders have issued a statement responding to the Supreme Court’s decision in Mahmoud v. Taylor, a case that centered on whether parents could opt their children out of reading fictional books with LGBTQ+ characters in school curricula.

The case involved Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland, which had approved certain books as part of its English Language Arts curriculum. After some parents raised concerns, the district initially allowed families to request an opt-out for religious reasons. However, this procedure was later rescinded by the board in 2023 due to logistical challenges and concerns that it subjected LGBTQ+ students “to social stigma and isolation.” Parents then filed a lawsuit, and the Supreme Court ruled that these parents were likely to succeed on their claim that their religious beliefs supported a right to opt out.

In their statement, New York State education leaders said: “We express our disappointment in the Supreme Court’s recent decision in Mahmoud v. Taylor, which unnecessarily interjected the Court into a dispute over local school district curricula.”

They further commented: “At the outset, we disagree with the framing of this case as a conflict between religious and LGBTQ+ people. Our public schools serve families with varying beliefs; we do not believe religion and personal identity are a zero-sum game. The majority opinion nevertheless endorsed this premise when it concluded that the books in question were ‘clearly designed to present certain values and beliefs as things to be celebrated and certain contrary values and beliefs as things to be rejected.’ The word ‘clearly’ obscures the fact that the record contained no evidence of religious disparagement. Exposure to ideas with which one disagrees is not coercion; it is the foundation of a pluralistic society and core to the mission of our public schools.”

The leaders emphasized respect for judicial authority but stated: “We respect the authority of the Supreme Court and will follow its precepts. However, given Mahmoud’s award of temporary relief to a single school district, it has no effect on the fundamental values of our State…”

They outlined those values as follows:

- Local Control: School districts in New York retain authority over curriculum design and instructional materials.

- Embracing Equity, Access, and Opportunity: New York remains committed to fostering safe, inclusive learning environments where LGBTQ+ students are welcomed.

- Respect for Religious Diversity: The state encourages clear communication about curriculum while respecting diverse family backgrounds.

The statement also addressed broader implications: “The situation in Montgomery County highlights how communities can sometimes feel constrained by a limited view of what’s possible. We deeply respect and support a parent’s right to be involved in their child’s education. At the same time, we believe that removing books from curricula or implementing broad, blanket opt-outs can unintentionally restrict access to diverse perspectives and rich learning opportunities for all students. Our local educators and school leaders are uniquely positioned to move beyond binary thinking and foster inclusive solutions, ones that honor the dignity and voices of all students and families.”