The Supreme Court took up a fiery case this week over LGBTQ storybooks in public schools. Justice Neil Gorsuch and attorney Alan Schoenfeld had a tense exchange over one book in particular—Pride Puppy!. The 32-page picture book follows a family at a Pride parade and their search for a lost dog. It’s been described as “affirming and inclusive.”
The book was once part of a Maryland pre-K curriculum. Gorsuch asked, “And they're being used in English language instruction at age 3?” Schoenfeld confirmed the book was used in the past but said it’s no longer in the curriculum. Then Gorsuch pressed harder.
“That’s the one where they’re supposed to look for the leather and things – and bondage – things like that,” Gorsuch said. Schoenfeld corrected him: “It’s not bondage. It’s a woman in a leather…” Gorsuch cut in, “Sex worker?” “No. That’s not correct. No,” Schoenfeld replied.
Gorsuch asked, “Drag queen?” Schoenfeld said yes, one of the words is “drag queen,” but clarified the leather was just a jacket. The attorney was clearly trying to keep the focus on facts. But Gorsuch wasn’t letting go easily.
Watch the latest video at foxnews.comThe case, Mahmoud v. Taylor, was brought by religious parents. They argue kids can’t be expected to ignore moral messaging from teachers. Their lawyer, Eric Baxter, told the court the books contradict the families’ beliefs.
Baxter said teachers had to use the materials after the school board approved LGBTQ-themed books in 2022. He claimed, “One of the schools, Sherwood School, in June for Pride Month said that they were going to read one book each day.” The district originally allowed opt-outs, but reversed that in March 2023.
Other books mentioned included Prince & Knight, where two men fall in love after fighting a dragon. And Uncle Bobby’s Wedding, which tells the story of a girl adjusting to her uncle marrying another man. The Supreme Court is expected to rule by late June.