Gorsuch and Maryland school district lawyer have wild exchange over children's LGBTQ storybook: 'Not bondage'

The lawyer for a Maryland school district and U S Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch had a wild exchange this week about a children's book amid an ongoing situation brought by parents who want to be able to opt their children out of reading LGBTQ storybooks in their general school Gorsuch was asking Alan Schoenfeld the attorney representing Montgomery County Masses Schools about Pride Puppy a -page book that tells the story of a family celebrating Pride Day when their dog gets lost in the parade and the effort to reunite the pup with his loved ones The rhyming alphabet book which was described as affirming and inclusive by its publisher allows readers to spot items starting with each of the letters of the alphabet while offering a joyful glimpse of a Pride parade and the vibrant locality that celebrates this day each year The book was previously used in the district's pre-kindergarten curriculum THE SUPREME COURT APPEARS TO SIDE WITH PARENTS IN RELIGIOUS LIBERTY DISPUTE OVER STORYBOOKS And they're being used in English language instruction at age Gorsuch questioned 'Pride Puppy ' was the book that was used for the pre-kindergarten curriculum That's no longer in the curriculum replied Schoenfeld That's the one where they're supposed to look for the leather and things - and bondage things like that Gorsuch responded It's not bondage It's a woman in a leather A Sex worker petitioned Gorsuch No That's not correct No replied Schoenfeld PARENTS TELL SCOTUS LGBTQ STORYBOOKS IN CLASSROOMS CLASH WITH OUR FAITH Gosh I read it drag queen declared Gorsuch Schoenfeld commented the leather is certainly a woman in a leather jacket and that one of the words is drag queen The high court was hearing arguments in the occurrence brought by religious parents who say young children can t be expected to separate a instructor s moral messages from their family s beliefs Eric Baxter the attorney representing Maryland parents in Mahmoud v Taylor reported the justices that the school district violated the First Amendment by denying opt-out requests for books that contradict their religious beliefs even while allowing exemptions for other religious objections such as books depicting the Muslim Prophet Muhammad LAWSUIT TRACKER NEW RESISTANCE BATTLING TRUMP'S SECOND TERM THROUGH ONSLAUGHT OF LAWSUITS TAKING AIM AT EOSBaxter announced teachers were required to use the materials in class after the district approved certain LGBTQ-themed curriculum books in When the books were first introduced in August of the board suggested they be used five times before the end of the year he commented One of the schools Sherwood School in June for Pride Month revealed that they were going to read one book each day The district initially allowed parents to opt out their children for religious concerns but reversed discipline by March citing concerns about absenteeism and administrative burdens Among the other storybooks at the center of the episode is Prince Knight a modern fairy tale aimed at children ages to which tells the story of two men who fall in love after joining forces to defeat a dragon and later marry Another book frequently referenced during oral arguments was Uncle Bobby's Wedding which follows a young girl processing her favorite uncle s decision to marry another man The Supreme Court is expected to issue a ruling in the situation by late June Fox News Digital's Jamie Joseph contributed to this summary