LGBTQ Pride Storybooks in Maryland Public Schools - the battle of national interest

Teaching inclusivity or left wing indoctrination??

Hundreds of families in Maryland have united to protest and demand to be able to 'opt out' of the public school reading list that includes many LGBTQ books through the different grades. Homosexuality and TRANS ideology and other controversial topics are presented as normal and acceptable. (although I don't think homosexuality is all that controversial anymore, there are still families who do not accept it as normal and don't want their children taught that it is). Oral argument was heard in federal brought court by families who want public school officials to respect their right to opt out of the ‘inclusive’ anthology. This case is a model for cases nation wide and so has national interest.

National Catholic Register

Parents in Montgomery County, Maryland, have had enough. Progressive ideologues captured the local public school system and thought they'd gotten away with it.

Now a group of parents from various religions have taken them to federal court, demanding that school officials respect their right to opt their children out of indoctrination in gender ideology. If ever there was a test case for people who want to protect their children from secularist dogma at odds with their religious beliefs, this is it.

In fall 2022, the Montgomery County Board of Education announced it would use “Pride Storybooks,” a collection of more than 20 new “inclusivity” books for pre-K through eighth-grade classrooms. As you might expect, every box is ticked. From Pride parades to gender transitioning and pronoun preferences, the collection is carefully curated to indoctrinate.

Let’s take a look at a few of the books, beginning with one that targets pre-K students.

Pride Puppy is the story of two women taking their children to a Pride parade, where their puppy gets lost. It asks 3- to 4-year-old readers to find images from a word list that includes “[drag] queen,” “underwear,” and “leather.”

Pride Puppy

A young child and their family are having a wonderful time together celebrating Pride Day―meeting up with Grandma, making new friends and eating ice cream. But then something terrible happens: their dog gets lost in the parade! Luckily, there are lots of people around to help reunite the pup with his family.

This rhyming alphabet book tells a lively story, with rich, colorful illustrations that will have readers poring over every detail as they spot items starting with each of the letters of the alphabet. An affirming and inclusive book that offers a joyful glimpse of a Pride parade and the vibrant community that celebrates this day each year.

Washington Post

The school system put an opt-out provision in place when the books were introduced, schools spokeswoman Jessica Baxter said. But that guidance shifted in March. Montgomery school officials say that Maryland law doesn’t allow students to withdraw from school lessons, except for a portion of the state’s health education curriculum on family life and human sexuality. Because the books are part of the English Language Arts curriculum, no exemptions are allowed.

And a little hanky-panky going on as to what exactly is in the books and what is being taught?

Principals Concerned

Last fall, a group of Montgomery County elementary school principals sent a letter to school district leaders with concerns that books new to the language arts curriculum that included LGBTQ characters were teaching young students about sexual orientation and gender identity even though district leaders said they weren’t, according to emails reviewed by The Washington Post.

“It has been communicated that MCPS is not teaching about sexual orientation and gender identity as stand alone concepts in elementary school,” some of the principals wrote in a document sent in November. “However, several of the books and supporting documents seemingly contradict this message.”

A few more stories/links

Pictures of some of the material is at this site -
WTOP - Lawsuit Filed Against Mongomery County

The lawsuit argues that the school system is violating the families’ First Amendment religious rights, the Fourteenth Amendment’s Due Process and also violating a long-standing Maryland state law that allows parents to opt their students out of instructions of sex education and family life.

“On March 22nd of this year, the school board announced that yes, it would allow opt outs as it always has in the past. On March 23rd, it issued an email doing a complete about face, saying that no more notice will be given to parents and no opt outs will be tolerated. And, we’re not even talking about the normal sex ed topics — biology, the reproductive system. We’re talking about social issues … encouraging children to (transition), to adopt their own pronouns,” said Eric Baxter, vice president and senior counsel, Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, representing the families in the federal lawsuit.

USA Today - Parents Clash with School System

Let's take a look at Montgomery County, Maryland, one of the most liberal counties in America, nestled north of Washington, D.C.

It’s the site of a battle between religious parents and public school officials over whether elementary school students should be allowed to opt out of reading books with LGBTQ+ characters, USA TODAY’s John Fritze reports.

The parents object to a book titled "Pride Puppy," for instance, that tells the story of children who chase their dog through a pride parade. Another, "Prince and Knight," features a romance between two male characters. "Born Ready" is about a boy coming to terms with his gender identity.

Homosexuality is inclusive, it's only normal to homosexuals who want to make it normal to the masses "our children" because...there...is...no...truth...in...them.

a reply to: FlyersFan2

The public schools are a shambles.

a reply to: FlyersFan2

Our school systems are failing in math and reading.

Failing.

But the concern is sexual preferences being taught to children.

Yeah, the communists are deliberately trying to ruin our nation from within.

originally posted by: DBCowboy
a reply to: FlyersFan2

Our school systems are failing in math and reading.

Failing.

But the concern is sexual preferences being taught to children.

Yeah, the communists are deliberately trying to ruin our nation from within.

Not only math and reading, they want to erase large swaths of history that is being taught as well.

If it hurts their feelz, they want to pretend it didn’t happen.

a reply to: RazorV66

When they can teach that men can have periods, then then are teaching absolute lies.

It's not just omitting history, they're trying to distort reality.

originally posted by: DBCowboy
a reply to: RazorV66

When they can teach that men can have periods, then then are teaching absolute lies.

It's not just omitting history, they're trying to distort reality.

Well they do live in some type of alternate reality that they want to drag all the normal people in to.

The wildest, most crazy thing is when someone asks them to define what a woman is.

It’s like they all recite the same answer, Liberal fantasy double talk.

That's what they get for living in Maryland. I moved out of Maryland when they banned 'assault weapons'

originally posted by: DBCowboy
a reply to: RazorV66

When they can teach that men can have periods, then then are teaching absolute lies.

It's not just omitting history, they're trying to distort reality.

SCIENCE says gender is determined by X/Y Chromosome ... not by how you feel on a particular day.

The TRANS books being pushed on the kids in this school system are anti-science.

Chromosomes

Each person normally has one pair of sex chromosomes in each cell. The Y chromosome is present in males, who have one X and one Y chromosome, while females have two X chromosomes.

originally posted by: FlyersFan2

originally posted by: DBCowboy
a reply to: RazorV66

When they can teach that men can have periods, then then are teaching absolute lies.

It's not just omitting history, they're trying to distort reality.

SCIENCE says gender is determined by X/Y Chromosome ... not by how you feel on a particular day.

The TRANS books being pushed on the kids in this school system are anti-science.

Chromosomes

Each person normally has one pair of sex chromosomes in each cell. The Y chromosome is present in males, who have one X and one Y chromosome, while females have two X chromosomes.

Just wait.

You'll have someone post that this is old science and new science knows better.

From LEFT leaning site -
Percent of Adults who Identify as Homosexual, Bisexual or Transgender

In 2022, 7.2 percent of adults surveyed in the United States stated they identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT). This is an increase from 2012, when 3.5 percent of surveyed adults identified as LGBT.

From NPR which leans LEFT -
NPR Institute of Medicine Discussion

So about 3.8 percent who self-identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender.

So if only between 3.8 to 7.2 percent of the population identifies as LGBTQ ... WHY is there an entire month of 'celebration' of this being foisted off on the general population and why is 'PRIDE' being taught to non LGBTQ in public schools? is it really inclusivity training or is it recruitment?

a reply to: FlyersFan2

The only time I hear about trans people is when corporations slap it all over their products, when conservatives fully admit they live rent free in their heads and can't stop complaining about them, or during the month they all band together to make "normal" people seeth.

Teaching kids about gender and such is a touchy subject, in my opinion, I'm on the fence about it all, but its gotten to the point where it's kinda hilarious how 1.6 million people have somehow broke America. I'm beginning to think there's bigger underlying issues at hand...

Just a side note -

A whole month of "Pride" celebration being taught to elementary school children.
That it is good to be proud and in-your-face about certain things.
I can understand why people of faith are upset and don't want their children taught this.
"PRIDE" goes against the tenants of the major world religions.
(Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism)

Proverbs 11:2 “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”

Proverbs 16:5 “The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.”

Proverbs 16:18 “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”

Jewish Learning Humility is Judaism

In the Jewish tradition, humility is among the greatest of the virtues, as its opposite, pride, is among the worst of the vices

Jewish Teaching on the Evil Inclination of Pride

Pride is a particularly detestable attribute. The Torah warns us regarding it: "And your heart will be proud and you will forget the Lord, your God" (Deuteronomy 8:14). A proud person focuses on himself, his honor, his virtues, and forgets the most important thing - he forgets God. He forgets that it is God Who has embed him with all of his qualities.

Some people let their pride go to their head and begin to behave in a manner which reflects their importance, walking and talking like an important person and wearing the sort of clothing which befits such a person. Everything they do, they do to feed their honor, to be "in," to look important.

Pride is an evil sickness which removes a person from the world

Judaism Teaches No Room For Pride

“And do not turn your face away from people in contempt, nor go about in the land exulting overmuch; surely Allah does not love any self-conceited boaster” (Quran 31:18).

“It shall be said: Enter the gates of hell to abide therein; so evil is the abode of the proud” (Quran 39:72).

“And when it is said to him, guard against (the punishment of) Allah; pride carries him off to sin; therefore hell is sufficient for him; and certainly it is an evil resting place” (Quran 2:206).

In Buddhism we have the five kleśas (five poisons or disturbing emotions).

1 -Ignorance
2 - Attachment/Desire
3 - Anger/Aversion
4 - Pride/Arrogance
5 - Envy

Pride: Hidden Troublemaker. The first three of the negative emotions, ignorance, attachment, and anger are usually very obvious to ourselves and to others. But pride can cause us serious trouble that we often do not notice. For many of us, it remains a hidden troublemaker. We can learn how to examine our thoughts and to change our pride into humility. When we have pride, we believe that we are more important than others, or that our position is superior. And if we hold that perception, we undervalue others. Phakchok Rinpoche here speaks of the opposite quality–humility.

And in Buddhism PRIDE goes against the 'Middle Way'.
Pride is an extreme sensual indulgence.

originally posted by: strongfp
Teaching kids about gender and such is a touchy subject,.

It should be simple science.
X and Y Chromosomes determine gender.
Feelings don't.
IMHO

originally posted by: strongfp
a reply to: FlyersFan2


Teaching kids about gender and such is a touchy subject, in my opinion, I'm on the fence about it all, but its gotten to the point where it's kinda hilarious how 1.6 million people have somehow broke America. I'm beginning to think there's bigger underlying issues at hand...

How it’s “taught” is what’s important.

Public school should be all inclusive. Plenty of private schools for those who object.

I’m not a fan of any military presence, but no one’s gonna stop a military parent in full uniform coming to school to surprise their kid.

Transgenders have families. Their children should not feel uncomfortable or ostracized.

originally posted by: Annee
Public school should be all inclusive.

Sure. But no one is being disenfranchised by not teaching LGBTQ agenda.

Plenty of private schools for those who object.

In America every child is entitled to a free education. Those private schools you suggest cost $$.

Transgenders have families. Their children should not feel uncomfortable or ostracized.

If schools stuck with teaching the basics like they should - science, history, reading, math, etc then no one would be ostracized. How could they be? Everyone gets the same education.

a reply to: FlyersFan2

I don't think you understand what they're teaching in schools... from my understanding is that it's gender identity. Post modern gibberish sure, but its not teaching people that you are biologically a man or woman.

But, I gotta ask, of someone believed that, what's your problem for someone that delusional in believing that? Let them live their life and be seen as delusional.

a reply to: FlyersFan2

I doubt they were including trans people back then.

originally posted by: strongfp
a reply to: FlyersFan2

I don't think you understand what they're teaching in schools... from my understanding is that it's gender identity. Post modern gibberish sure, but its not teaching people that you are biologically a man or woman.

But, I gotta ask, of someone believed that, what's your problem for someone that delusional in believing that? Let them live their life and be seen as delusional.

I always ask, when people say this, would you give a teen girl liposuction if she's anorexic and thought she was fat?