Supreme Court Justice Gorsuch Questions Maryland Schools on 'Drag Queen' Book for Pre-K

Scrutiny of 'Pride Puppy' Book

• 🎯 Justice Gorsuch questioned the attorney for Maryland public schools regarding books used in the pre-kindergarten curriculum, specifically focusing on the "Pride Puppy" book.
• 📚 The "Pride Puppy" book, which has since been removed by the school board, was used in the pre-kindergarten curriculum and reportedly contains references to "drag queen" and imagery that some interpreted as related to bondage.
• 🗣️ The attorney clarified that the imagery was of a woman in a leather jacket and the term "drag queen" was present, with an option at the end of the book to look for these elements.

Curriculum and Intent

• 🏫 The books were included in the English language curriculum for three-year-olds, rather than a human sexuality curriculum.
• 💡 The district court found that the inclusion of these books was intended to influence students towards civility, which the attorney agreed was a natural consequence of exposure.
• ⚠️ The attorney acknowledged that some intemperate language was used in public settings when responding to concerned parents, though these comments were often made after decisions were finalized.

Religious Discrimination and Burden

• ⚖️ A legal question was raised regarding whether intentional discrimination against religion by state actors constitutes a burden on religion.
• ❓ Justice Gorsuch posited that it is hard to imagine a valid secular purpose for such discrimination.
• 🤝 The attorney agreed that if a state actor intentionally discriminates against a religion, it is a burden, referencing the court's recognition that facially discriminatory enactments are intrinsically coercive.