WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Jamie Raskin (MD-08) released the following statement on the Supreme Court’s ruling against Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) in the case of Mahmoud v. Taylor:

"Donald Trump and his Administration have continued to target and attack LGBTQ+ Americans in the most scandalous fashion. In this moment of persistent cruelty to minorities, I stand with every young person, parent and family member who feels vulnerable in the face of these chill winds.  Montgomery County is one of our nation’s most diverse and welcoming communities, and we will stand strong to see that it remains so.

"Whatever you think of opt-out policies at the local level, today’s decision is of the most dubious constitutional reasoning and opens a gigantic Pandora’s box. Can students opt out of science classes where the theory of evolution is taught if it conflicts with their family religious beliefs in creation-science? Can students opt out of history classes where wars are taught if it conflicts with their family religious beliefs about nonviolence? There are religions that oppose medical science, surgery, psychiatry, interracial marriage, monogamy, woman’s suffrage, the right of gay people to marry, and so on. All of them will now be able to flood the courts with claims that particular curricular teachings and books offend their sincere values and their children should not be exposed to the offensive doctrines. At a time when public schools are under severe attack by right-wing politicians, this decision just makes running a school and teaching in a classroom that much more difficult."

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