Supreme Court Rules on LGBTQ+ Storybooks in Schools
On Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court decided that public schools are required to let parents “opt out” their children from using storybooks featuring LGBTQ+ characters.
The plaintiffs contended that allowing these books without parental choice would infringe on students’ rights related to religious beliefs, and the conservative majority, with a 6-3 vote, concurred.
John Wahl, the Chairman of the Alabama Republican Party and the Alabama Public Library Services Board, expressed his approval over the weekend.
“As the chairman of Alabama Public Library Services, I’ve maintained for years that parents should oversee what their children encounter. The Supreme Court’s ruling this Friday is a significant win for religious freedom and parental rights,” Wahl remarked. “Kids shouldn’t be compelled to engage with lessons that contradict their family’s values. Parents should have the final say regarding their children’s exposure in public institutions, rather than government officials.”
Wahl encouraged the APLS to revise state aid regulations to prevent public libraries from housing “sexually explicit” material in sections aimed at minors. The APLS has been trying to clarify what constitutes “sexually explicit,” even considering non-sexual depictions of nudity.
Wahl frequently shares his views suggesting that there is a Marxist or Communist influence stemming from the American Library Association. He voiced similar concerns about the public education system in relation to the Supreme Court’s recent ruling.
“The current socialist agenda indicates a desire to undermine parental authority through public institutions and reshape American values,” he stated. “This isn’t simply about banning books or silencing voices; it’s about reinstating the right to oversee our children’s moral and religious education without interference from the government.”