ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – The national debate over which books children should be allowed to read continues.
The U.S. Supreme Court is considering a case that would let elementary school parents pull their kids from class when LGBTQ+ books are read.
On Tuesday, the Supreme Court heard pleas from parents who want to filter their children’s elementary education.
The group of parents from Maryland is arguing over the option to remove their children from class when teachers read stories with characters in same-sex relationships.
The parents argue they should at least be given some sort of notice before the reading, because it may go against their religious beliefs.
One of the Maryland parents, Melissa Persack, said this is about parents’ rights to decide what their children learn and when.
“We are talking about children ages four to 11. No parent should have to chose from preserving their religious beliefs and sending their children to public schools,” said Persack.
In December 2023, Marietta City Schools banned 23 books they claimed included sexually explicit content. Thirteen of the books had to do with LGBTQ+ themes. Some parents and former teachers of the district said they are fine with the opt-out, as long as the books are still available for other students.
Those in the classroom have said students can handle the subject, and have oftentimes led the conversations themselves.
“You can’t have a child that’s just in a bubble. We have to educate ourselves on everything that’s going on in the world today,” said Dr. Taylor Richardson, an Atlanta Public Schools 5th grade teacher, and 2023-2024 Atlanta Public Schools teacher of the year.
As a teacher for 10 years, Richardson said all kids need to see themselves and their experiences in the lessons taught.
Richardson explained: “I would just hate for any students to miss out on that, as well as the diversity aspect of it, of just being accepting and loving and learning more about every situation and the broader terms of things.”
“These are literally just children’s books,” said Maya Flowers-Glass, a freshman at Maynard Jackson High School in Atlanta.
Flowers-Glass said by opting out of LGBTQ+ stories, she fears her peers will not get a well-rounded education starting in elementary school, “because it’s part of developing your sense of how these people do exist in our communities, and they deserve to be seen.”
If the Supreme Court rules in favor of the parents, that means parents could pull their students from class anytime something is taught that goes against their religious beliefs.
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