Statement from Rocky Mountain Equality on U.S. Supreme Court Decision in Mahmoud v. Taylor

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
6/27/25

BOULDER, CO- Today, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision in Mahmoud v. Taylor, stating that parents are able to challenge the inclusion of LGBTQ books and themes in public school classrooms under the guise of religious freedom. This suggests that LGBTQ content in classrooms may be an infringement on parent’s constitutional rights, no matter how factual, age-appropriate, or inclusive that content may be.

In response to the ruling, Bruce Parker, Chief Operating Officer at Rocky Mountain Equality, said:

This ruling makes it harder for our public schools to educate our children and opens the door for additional administrative burden on our teachers and school administrators who are already under-resourced. Across the country, schools may be forced to create opt-out policies for any curriculum that mentions LGBTQ people.

That opens the door to mass opt-outs and a chilling effect that will pressure schools to abandon inclusive education entirely. This case was never about protecting children. It is about erasing LGBTQ people from public life, starting in the classroom.

LGBTQ students have the right to feel seen, respected, and safe in school. Inclusive books are not an attack on anyone’s religion. They simply reflect reality and prepare students to live, learn, and thrive in a diverse society. Denying that sends a dangerous message to LGBTQ youth that their existence is controversial or shameful.

This case is part of a broader, coordinated effort to weaponize religion against LGBTQ people. We won’t let it happen. We stand with students, families, and educators in Colorado and across the country who believe every child deserves an honest, inclusive education.

Our stories belong in the classroom. Our children deserve to be seen. And Rocky Mountain Equality will keep fighting for both.

About Rocky Mountain Equality

Rocky Mountain Equality (RMEQ) is a leading organization dedicated to advancing LGBTQ rights and promoting equality and justice for all individuals. As the only LGBTQ organization in Colorado that provides direct services to the community and engages in advocacy, RMEQ strives to create a more inclusive and equitable society.