Just a year ago, a school in Encinitas, CA used its “Buddy Activity Program” to force its fifth-grade students to deliver a message affirming gender ideology to their younger kindergarten buddies.

When a family complained about the required activity on behalf of their son and asked the school to notify them and provide opt-out opportunities, leaders at the school denied their request.

Last night, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California ruled in favor of religious freedom and freedom of speech for children and parents.

In its decision, the Court said that the school district cannot cover gender identity topics in the buddy program without providing parents with advance notification and an opportunity to opt out.

Watch First Liberty attorney Kayla Toney explain what the Court just decided and what that decision means as this critical case for parental rights moves forward.

This is a huge first victory. But this case is far from over.

That’s why at 3:15 CST today, Kayla will be joining Stuart Shepard on First Liberty Live! to more fully unpack the details of this case, what the Court’s decision means for parents and what we expect to happen next.

You can watch the episode here.

No child will be forced to speak a message that violates his religious convictions – not on our watch.

We are grateful for the Court’s decision and will continue to fight to ensure that elementary children are not coerced into participating in lessons about gender identity that violate their faith.

First Liberty Institute – The Nation's largest law firm dedicated exclusively to defending religious freedom.