A high school senior in Maryland may be barred from graduating after her family refused to comply with a school-mandated health course that includes LGBTQ+ content, citing religious objections.
The student, who holds a 4.76 GPA and has been heavily involved in academic and extracurricular activities, has completed all other graduation requirements. Her parents requested alternatives such as an independent study option or a private course substitution but were denied by the school district.
Facing a deadline as graduation approaches, the family has escalated the issue to the Maryland Supreme Court, seeking urgent intervention to allow their daughter to receive her diploma without completing the contested course.
The case has ignited broader debates about the balance between educational standards, religious freedoms, and parental rights. As disputes over curriculum requirements grow across the country, the outcome of this challenge could have a lasting impact on how schools navigate cultural and religious sensitivities moving forward.