Update: On May 15, 2024, the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the District Court’s denial of the preliminary injunction.

GLAD and partner organizations filed a friend-of-the-court brief in Mahmoud v. McKnight in the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in support of a Maryland school district that introduced storybooks with LGBTQ+ characters into the language arts curriculum. The brief provides evidence on the importance of inclusive curricula in creating a welcoming, respectful school climate for all students. Such climates are especially important for LGBTQ+ students who face a heightened risk of bullying, isolation, and self-doubt.

The amici are organizations comprising parents, students, educators, civil rights advocates, and health care and suicide prevention service providers. In addition to GLAD, the organizations joining the friend-of-the-court brief are:

  • Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund, Inc.
  • GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders
  • National Center for Lesbian Rights
  • Human Rights Campaign Foundation
  • The Trevor Project, Inc.
  • GLSEN, Inc.
  • PFLAG, Inc.
  • PFLAG Regional Chapters
    • Metro DC PFLAG
    • PFLAG Aiken
    • PFLAG Anderson
    • PFLAG Apex
    • PFLAG Charlotte
    • PFLAG Concord-Kannapolis
    • PFLAG Greensboro
    • PFLAG Greenville
    • PFLAG Hampton Roads
    • PFLAG Hickory NC
    • PFLAG Lexington NC
    • PFLAG Pawleys Island
    • PFLAG Salisbury
    • PFLAG Salisbury-Rowan
    • PFLAG Southern Maryland
    • PFLAG Southern Pines
    • PFLAG Spartanburg
    • PFLAG Statesville
    • PFLAG Triangle
  • Equality North Carolina
  • South Carolina Equality, Inc.
  • MoCo Pride Center
  • FCPS Pride
  • Rainbow Youth Alliance (RYA)
  • Supporting and Mentoring Youth Advocates and Leaders (SMYAL)
  • Whitman-Walker Health
  • Whitman-Walker Institute