MN District Grants Opt-Out From LGBTQ Curriculum To Somali Families

ST. LOUIS PARK, MN — St. Louis Park Public School District will allow several Somali-American children in the district to opt out of sexually based materials being taught in English classes.

In December, the families — through True North Legal and First Liberty Institute law firms — sent two letters arguing that the district’s previous "denial" of opt-outs violated the First Amendment and state law.

The six Muslim families all immigrated from Somalia over the past two decades. They asked for notice and the ability to opt-out when their elementary school students are taught LGBTQ-affirming books with discussions that promote these identities.

The district is now granting opt-out requests to St. Louis Park High Schools and elementary students, the law firms said.

"We believe that we have a sacred obligation to teach the principles of our faith to our children without being undermined by the schools," said Fatuma Irshat, one of the mothers involved in the case.

Another parent, Hodan Hassan, said: "We came to America because of its rich heritage of protecting religious liberty and the opportunity to raise our children in a place where they have access to success. We were shocked that our children were being taught material that violates our beliefs, but we’re grateful that the school has granted our opt-out requests."

In its own statement Tuesday, St. Louis Park Public Schools said it "has always complied with the state law regarding parents’ statutory right to opt out of instructional materials, and we will continue to do so."

The district said it will continue to make its curriculum available to families to review, but district staff "will not conduct reviews on behalf of any families or attempt to determine what materials may be considered objectionable."

Additionally, class discussions do not constitute instructional materials and are not subject to review or opt-outs, school officials said.

"Opt-outs based on representation of protected classes do not uphold our values of creating safe and inclusive learning and working environments in our schools," the district added. "However, because it is required within state law, any change would need to happen with the involvement of state lawmakers."

St. Louis Park Schools said it remains committed to ensuring the district’s learning communities honor and respect the identities of all of its students, families, staff, and broader community, including diverse gender identity and gender expression.

Renee Carlson, general counsel of True North Legal, said she and her team were proud to have worked with the families and the St. Louis Park school district to ensure that their constitutional rights are protected.

"Ensuring the religious freedom of students and their families is paramount, and infringing upon that right is unacceptable," Carlson said.

"Diversity and inclusion must extend to religious families, too," added Kayla Toney, associate counsel at First Liberty. "This is why the First Amendment specifically protects religious exercise."

Editor's note: This article has been updated to include a statement from St. Louis Park Schools.