About Mahmoud v. Taylor

Pride Storybooks in Montgomery County Schools

In the fall of 2022, the Montgomery County Board of Education introduced a slate of new “inclusivity” books for elementary school students. Instead of focusing on basic principles of respect and kindness, however, the books champion controversial ideology around gender and sexuality. At the time, the Board assured parents they would be notified in advance whenever these books were to be read, with the option to opt their children out. This practice, used for decades in Montgomery County schools, was consistent with Maryland law and the Board’s own policies. 

A School Board takes away a decades-old opt-out

However, in March 2023, the Board reversed course. It announced that in the 2023-2024 school year, no notice would be given for the books and opt-out requests would not be honored.  

The about-face prompted immediate backlash from parents throughout Montgomery County. Many expressed their concern at the Board’s summer meetings, where they testified that their religious beliefs prevented them from allowing their young children to be exposed to lessons on gender and sexuality that conflicted with their faith.  

The Board members in these meetings accused the parents of promoting hate, comparing them to “white Supremacists” and “xenophobes.” One member justified the Board’s decision by claiming that allowing opt-outs because these books “offend[] your religious rights or your family values or your core beliefs is just telling [your] kids, ‘Here’s another reason to hate another person.’” 

Parents fight back

After the Board refused to accommodate parents’ beliefs, a diverse group of religious parents, including Muslims, Christians, and Jews, fought back. Despite faith differences, these parents agree that the curriculum is age-inappropriate, harmful to children, and promotes views on sex and gender that contradict their religious beliefs. With the help of Becket, the parents filed a lawsuit against the Montgomery County Board of Education.   

After lower courts declined to protect the parents’ right to make key decisions about the education of their children, the parents asked the Supreme Court to take their case.

On January 17, 2025, the Justices agreed to hear Mahmoud v. Taylor, and arguments will take place on April 22, 2025.