Supreme Court backs parents seeking to opt their kids out of LGBTQ books in elementary schools
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Supreme Court Backs Parents' Opt-Out Rights for LGBTQ+ Books
Above: A person stands outside the U.S. Supreme Court on June 27, 2025. Image copyright: Alex Wroblewski/AFP via Getty Images
The Spin
Republican narrative
This ruling protects fundamental parental rights and religious freedom, which are cornerstone principles of American democracy. Parents shouldn't be forced to choose between their deeply held religious beliefs and their children's public education. This decision ensures that families can raise their children according to their faith while still participating in public schooling.
Democratic narrative
SCOTUS has opened the floodgates for educational chaos by allowing parents to claim religious objections to virtually any curriculum content. This decision undermines the multicultural foundation of public education and gives a vocal minority veto power over democratically chosen school policies — which are typically left to school boards or individual schools — that serve all students.