Parents and advocates rallied on both sides Tuesday regarding opt-out options for LGBTQ+ reading material in schools.
Moms for Liberty and Family Rights for Religious Freedom organized a rally outside the Montgomery County Board of Education meeting building to demand families be allowed to opt-out of gender and sexual education.
In response, others gathered to support curriculum involving LGBTQ+ stories. Both sides rallied ahead of a school board meeting Tuesday.
Three families have sued Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Superintendent Dr. Monifa McKnight and school board members after, per the lawsuit, the board reversed its rule allowing families to opt out of classroom instruction regarding family life and human sexuality.
State law dictates families can only opt out of classes specifically about human growth and sexuality, MCPS Associate Superintendent Niki Hazel previously explained, and the school system has chosen six picture books involving LGBTQ+ that will be included in literacy classes for elementary schoolers.
