One of the smallest and poorest counties in the State of Maryland was among the first to stand up to the State regarding DEI and parental rights to opt their children out of gender identity and sexual orientation lessons in the state's Health and Sex Education Curriculum.
The Maryland House of Delegates voted to approve HB 161 which removes the parental opt out for units on those topics that are taught as early as in Kindergarten. After a three-hour meeting on February 18, the Somerset County Board of Education voted to oppose that bill which still has to be passed by the Maryland Senate. It was a unanimous vote. The Superintendent also voted to oppose the bill.
Their opposition was based on the idea that school boards in Maryland need to serve their local community as that is what they are elected to do.
Many parents have been complaining about the state curriculum which requires children as young as Kindergarten to identify different "gender identities" which depend on what the person thinks they are.
From Fox 45:
Lessons on gender identity in the state framework are taught under the family life and human sexuality section, which parents are able to opt out their children from. However, HB0161 removes the gender identity lessons from the family life and human sexuality section so they do not qualify for an opt out, meaning parents will not have a choice to determine if their child participates in the lessons.
Howard County Public Schools and the Maryland State Department of Education wrote letters against the bill. Carroll County had already adopted their own curriculum instead of the State's and gave parents a choice in 2023.
The Somerset County Board of Education wrote this letter in opposition:
In previous years, many districts wrote in opposition to the bill.
Since passing in the House of Delegates, the bill now goes to the Senate where it has failed in previous years.
Those who wish to oppose the bill may participate in this Ujoin campaign:
Jan Greenhawk, Author
February 20, 2025
Jan Greenhawk is a former teacher and school administrator for over thirty years. She has two grown children and lives with her husband in Maryland. She also spent over twenty-five years coaching/judging gymnastics and coaching women’s softball.
This article was originally featured on the Easton Gazette.
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