U.S. Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch and a lawyer for a Maryland school district engaged in an eyebrow-raising discussion on a children’s LGBTQ storybook.
Alan Schoenfeld, an attorney representing Montgomery County Public Schools, was grilled over the contents of a rhyming alphabet book titled “Pride Puppy,” which was previously used in the district’s pre-kindergarten curriculum.
Gorsuch asked the lawyer specifically about the contents of the book as the high court heard arguments in the case brought by parents demanding the right to opt-out their public school children from reading LGBTQ-themed material.
(Video Credit: The New York Post)
“And they’re being used in English language instruction at age 3?” Gorsuch asked Schoenfeld at one point.
“‘Pride Puppy!’ was the book that was used for the pre-kindergarten curriculum. That’s no longer in the curriculum,” the attorney replied, referring to the book the publisher describes as “affirming and inclusive.”
“That’s the one where they’re supposed to look for the leather and things – and bondage – things like that,” Gorsuch said.
“It’s not bondage. It’s a woman in a leather…” the lawyer clarified as the SCOTUS justice responded, “sex worker?”
“No. That’s not correct. No,” Schoenfeld answered.
“Gosh, I read it… drag queen?” Gorsuch pressed as the lawyer explained that there was a reference to a woman in a leather jacket and that “one of the words is drag queen.”
Other books in the case included “Prince & Knight,” and “Uncle Bobby’s Wedding,” as parents argued that they wanted to be able to opt their children out of reading books that “contradict their religious beliefs,” according to Eric Baxter, an attorney representing Maryland parents in Mahmoud v. Taylor.
“When the books were first introduced in August of 2022, the board suggested they be used five times before the end of the year,” he said. “One of the schools, Sherwood School, in June for Pride Month, said that they were going to read one book each day.”
By March 2023, the district did an about-face after first allowing parents to opt-out their children.
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida. Powers also contributes to BizPac Review.
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