Statement from URGE on Mahmoud v. Taylor Supreme Court Ruling

Statement from Kimberly Inez McGuire, Executive Director of URGE: Unite for Reproductive & Gender Equity, on the Supreme Court decision allowing parents to opt their children out of lessons that include 2SLGBTQIA+ content:

“This decision is another wolf in sheep’s clothing from a Court that has entirely lost the plot on the separation of church and state. The objections of a few religious fundamentalists are being used to override school curriculum selected by an inclusive process driven by educators and experts. This ruling could allow the petty bigotries of any one parent to degrade the education available to all. 

“This is a clear attempt by extremists to control what young people read, what they watch, and, ultimately, how they live their lives. We all want our kids to be healthy and safe, and this ruling leaves young people vulnerable to harm by depriving them of age-appropriate, uncensored information about the world around us.

“Young people are often exposed to disinformation about sex, relationships, and reproductive health—whether from social media, peers, or unreliable sources. And basic science education is under attack. Young people need fact-based information that empowers them to distinguish truth from fiction. We stand firmly against this dangerous trend of censorship and continue to fight for the freedom of young people to learn, grow, and be seen.”