1. United States
2. Letter

I write to express deep concern over the case of Mahmoud v. Taylor, which threatens both the integrity of public education and the constitutional rights of students. This case seeks to force public schools to notify parents and offer opt-outs for any classroom content related to LGBTQ people, effectively nationalizing Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” law. If allowed to stand, it would silence spontaneous discussion, chill educational environments, and stigmatize already marginalized students (Vox, April 2025). Legal experts warn this would set a dangerous precedent. Schools could be forced to censor content to avoid potential objections based on religious beliefs, regardless of academic relevance. It would invite a wave of litigation, drain educational resources, and trample students’ rights to learn in inclusive, fact-based environments. That the case has reached the Court without full lower court review raises further alarm about the adequacy of its factual and constitutional foundation (Vox, April 2025). This Court’s decision will reverberate far beyond this case. A ruling in favor of the plaintiffs could redefine the relationship between church and state, invite discrimination under the guise of religious accommodation, and strip students of their right to a complete education. I urge the Court to reject this effort to weaponize the legal system against inclusion, and to reaffirm that public schools serve all students—regardless of identity.