Families Receive $1.5 Million After Supreme Court Victory Over LGBT Storytelling

Montgomery County school district ordered to comply with court orders on parental opt-outs

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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A Maryland school district that lost a recent U.S. Supreme Court case will pay $1.5 million to parents who weren't allowed to opt their children out of LGBT story time, the families' attorneys said. The settlement ensures parents, not government bureaucrats, have the final say in how their children are raised.

Why it matters

The case highlights the ongoing debate over parental rights and the role of public schools in teaching sensitive topics related to sexual orientation and gender identity. The Supreme Court ruling affirmed that the government cannot condition the benefit of free public education on parents' acceptance of instruction that threatens their religious beliefs.

The details

The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, which represented the plaintiffs in the Mahmoud v. Taylor case, announced the $1.5 million settlement on Friday. The defendant, the Montgomery County Board of Education, was also ordered to comply with court orders mandating advance notice and opt-out provisions for parents. The case dates back to 2022 when a group of Christian, Muslim, and Jewish parents told the board they wanted to remove their elementary school children from book readings about same-sex romances, gender transitions, and pride parades for religious reasons, but were denied permission.

  • The Supreme Court announced its 6–3 ruling on June 27, 2026.
  • The settlement was announced on February 20, 2026.

The players

Becket Fund for Religious Liberty

A nonprofit law firm that represented the plaintiffs in the Mahmoud v. Taylor case.

Montgomery County Board of Education

The defendant in the case, which oversees Montgomery County Public Schools, the largest school district in Maryland.

Eric Baxter

Becket senior counsel and the lead attorney in the Mahmoud v. Taylor case.

Deborah Boardman

U.S. District Judge who ordered the settlement and compliance with court orders.

Samuel Alito

Supreme Court Justice who wrote the majority opinion in the Mahmoud v. Taylor case.

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What’s next

The Montgomery County Board of Education must comply with the court orders mandating advance notice and opt-out provisions for parents regarding LGBT-related instructional materials.

The takeaway

This settlement reinforces the Supreme Court's ruling that the government cannot force parents to accept instruction that conflicts with their religious beliefs as a condition of receiving a public education. It serves as a warning to school districts nationwide about respecting parental rights on sensitive topics.