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Attorneys for Maryland school districts and U.S. Supreme Court Judge Neil Gorsuch have had a wild exchange this week about children’s books amid ongoing cases of parents who want to pick their children out of reading LGBTQ storybooks in public schools.
Gorsuch had asked Alan Schoenfeld, a lawyer representing Montgomery County public schools, about “Pride Puppy!” A 32-page book that tells the story of a family celebrating Pride Day when a dog gets lost in a parade, and his efforts to reunite his loved one and puppy.
Rhyming alphabet books, described by publishers as “positive and inclusive,” can provide readers with a “rejoic glimpse of the Pride Parade and the vibrant community that celebrates the year each year” while also allowing readers to find items starting with each letter of the alphabet.
This book was previously used in the pre-kindergarten curriculum.
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US Supreme Court Judge Neil Gorsuch asked a few questions about “Pride Puppy!” A book for children during Tuesday’s hearing. (supreme court)
“And are they used in English teaching at age three?” Gorsuch asked.
“Pride Puppy!” was a book used in the pre-kindergarten curriculum.
“It’s something they are supposed to look for leather and things, and that’s what it is,” replied Gorsuch.
“It’s not a bondage. It’s a leather woman…”
“Sex worker?” asked Gorsuch.
“No. That’s not true. No,” replied Schoenfeld.
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Elementary school teachers can be seen reading books about gender to their students. (Getty Images)
“Well, I read that… Drag Queen?” Gorsuch said.
Schoenfeld said that leather is actually a woman wearing a leather jacket, “One of the words is a drag queen.”
The High Court had heard the argument in a case brought by religious parents who said that young children could not expect to separate teacher moral messages from family beliefs.
Eric Baxter, a lawyer representing Mahmoud v. Taylor’s Maryland parents, justly told the district violated the initial amendments by refusing to opt-out requests for books that “contradict religious beliefs” even though they allow exemptions from other religious objections, such as the book depicting Muslim prophet Muhammad.
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US Supreme Court Judge Neil Gorsuch asked about the book “Pride Puppy.” (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)
Baxter said teachers should use class materials after the district approved a book on a specific LGBTQ-themed curriculum in 2022.
“When the book was first introduced in August 2022, the board proposed to use it five times by the end of the year,” he said. “Sherwood School, one of the schools, said in June it was planning to read one book every day for Pride Month.”
The district initially allowed parents to opt out of their children due to religious concerns, but by March 2023 it reversed the course, citing concerns about absenteeism and administrative burdens.
Montgomery County Public Schools Curriculum Pride Storybook. (Bett)
Among other picture books at the heart of the case is Prince & Night, a modern fairy tale aimed at children aged 4-8 years.
Another book that is frequently mentioned in oral discussions was Uncle Bobby’s Wedding.
Supreme Court Justice heard a verbal discussion between Mahmoud v. Taylor on Tuesday. (istock)
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The Supreme Court is expected to rule in the suit by late June.
Jamie Joseph of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.
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