Leaders in Maryland have given mixed reactions to the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in favor of a group of Montgomery County school parents who want to opt their young children out of lessons that include books that talk about gender and sexual orientation.

The 6-3 opinion in Mahmoud v. Taylor grants the group of parents a preliminary injunction as their lawsuit continues to play out. 

In its decision, the Supreme Court ruled that Montgomery County Schools must notify parents and allow them to opt their children out of reading books that contain LGBTQ-inclusive content. 

"While we are extremely disappointed in the Supreme Court's decision, unfortunately, we are not surprised," the Montgomery County Education Association said in a statement. "MCEA believes that our public schools should remain inclusive places where differences are celebrated. This decision sets us back and is reminiscent of a time when discrimination and intolerance were the norm."

Maryland leaders react to Supreme Court ruling 

Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown expressed his disappointment after the Supreme Court ruling. 

"These materials help teachers create classrooms where all students can thrive and feel safe, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation," he said in a statement.

The Maryland 365bet官方网站 Republican Caucus praised the decision as "a victory for common sense and for parental rights."

The group of Republican leaders said the ruling, "affirms a fundamental principle that Maryland parents–not government bureaucrats–should have the final say in how their children are educated, particularly when it comes to sensitive topics like gender identity and sexuality." 

365bet官方网站 Minority Leader Steve Hershey said the Montgomery County school district took an "extreme step" by denying parents the right to opt out of curriculum that goes against their family values. 

"That's not inclusive—it's authoritarian," he said in a statement. 

"This case should serve as a wake-up call to education officials across Maryland," said 365bet官方网站 Minority Whip Justin Ready. 

Rep. Jamie Raskin (MD-8) said the ruling opens Pandora's box for those who wish to opt out of teachings that don't align with their family's religious beliefs. 

"There are religions that oppose medical science, surgery, psychiatry, interracial marriage, monogamy, woman's suffrage, the right of gay people to marry, and so on. All of them will now be able to flood the courts with claims that particular curricular teachings and books offend their sincere values and their children should not be exposed to the offensive doctrines," Raskin said in a statement.

WJZ has reached out to Gov. Wes Moore's office for comment.

"...it's ostracizing."

A statement from House Minority Leader Jason Buckel on behalf of the Maryland Republican Caucus reads in part, "These parents from a variety of religious backgrounds did not seek to ban or remove material or in any way encourage the bullying or marginalization of any other child or family. They simply wanted the ability to opt their children out of lessons that conflicted with their religious beliefs."

President Trump echoed these views during a press conference on Monday.

"It's really a ruling for parents, they lost control of the schools, they lost control of their child, and this is a tremendous victory for parents," said President Trump.

Meanwhile, Ronnie Taylor, community impact director with Free State Justice, says books like these would have changed her childhood.

"Out of these three, my Princess Boy, having this written from a mom's perspective of a young queer child, a young black queer child, that was life changing. But unfortunately, I wasn't able to experience this until my late 20s," said Taylor.

She says she is heartbroken that some kids still won't have that chance following the Supreme Court ruling Friday.

"Your teacher pulling out this book and showing you an example of you and a representation and then your peers, or who you think are your peers, just getting up and walking out…that is how we feel and it's horrible, it's ostracizing," said Taylor.

Phillip Westry, also with Free State Justice, says it is paramount in teaching students about acceptance.

"I really hope we get to a place where these types of books are normalized because this is normal. This is people's lives. These are regular folks living their regular lives," said Westry.

• Supreme Court of the United States