I Joyfully Dissent
Author Charlotte Sullivan Wild shares her response to the Mahmoud v. Taylor ruling and where we go from here.
Last Friday, the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 on Mahmoud V. Taylor stating that the inclusion of LGBTQ+ stories in public school curriculum infringes on parents’ religious rights and schools must give parents the option to opt their children out of lessons involving LGBTQ+ characters and themes. The majority opinion, which included several misrepresentations of the stories involved, opens the door for further censorship on any topic that doesn’t align with one’s religious beliefs. As Justice Sotomayor says in the dissenting opinion, “the damage to America’s public education system will be profound.”
We checked in with author Charlotte Sullivan Wild whose book Love, Violet is one of the nine books at the center of this case. We originally connected with her back in April before the case had been heard by the Supreme Court. She shared thoughts on the ruling and where we go from here.
We know this has been a long journey. What is your reaction to the Mahmoud v. Taylor ruling?
Oof. Expected, stunning, and disturbing.
I understand the fears of some religious families; I grew up with the same terrifying stereotypes. Only coming to know LGBTQ+ friends slowly helped me let go of those false images. When a close friend was outed in college in the 1990s, I responded badly. I was unprepared. After that, I resolved to never let my personal views damage a relationship again. It’s not easy, but learning to respectfully disagree and live in difference, with mutual care for each other, is the heart of democracy. (Interfaith Alliance agrees.)
Mahmoud v. Taylor violates that principle. It declares that religious children learning that people they disagree with exist and can be happy is a religious burden. It sanctions segregating children during story times. Now parents can object to stories about people of other religions, races, experiences, or disabilities or even of women working outside of the home because discrimination is always intersectional. So is freedom.
When I read the case files, I admit that I marveled aloud, “Wow. They really hate us.” I don’t want to believe that. The petitioners’ lawyers do say they respect everyone. Yet the arguments are built on ugly, anti-LGBTQ+ stereotypes, as were comments from the conservative Supreme Court justices. After the oral arguments (Mombian’s take), I wondered how those justices could empathize with LGBTQ+ children and families when they couldn’t even discuss our picture books without inventing new plots and adding sexual layers that aren’t there. The decision speaks for itself.
In a concurring opinion, Justice Thomas suggests that schools “cabin” LGBTQ+-inclusive books into separate “units” to make opt-outs easier (12). But the Supreme Court decided about this years ago: Separate is not equal.
Teaching children to segregate themselves, to treat some classmates as dangerous, models prejudice, not how to get along. It tells LGBTQ+ children and family members they are not really welcome. School should be a place where every child is included, and where children learn how to get along with people different than themselves. That includes religious and LGBTQ+ diversity.
Just as chilling, writing for the majority, Justice Alito deems our books “coercive” because of their joy. He objects to loving scenes in which friends and families support transgender and nonbinary children, and wedding scenes that are celebratory. (3-4, 23-25) But joy belongs to everyone.
Joy was at the front of our minds as the FSG creative team discussed Love, Violet. Violet struggles with crushing shyness, so a cover of her hiding makes sense. Except that feels like the closet. Love, Violet would bring queer girlhood out of the closet as the first picture book from a major U.S. publisher to portray a crush between girls. For so long, the handful of LGBTQ+ representations mainly featured men and always ended in tragedy. So, Charlene Chua created that gorgeous joyful cover! Because happy endings should be for everyone.
It's telling that during the oral arguments and in the majority decision, Alito insisted that the plot of Uncle Bobby’s Wedding was about young Chole questioning if gay marriage is okay. THIS IS NOT THE PLOT. In obvious frustration, Justice Sotomayor included the entire book in her dissent. (Yes, read the book!) It was inconceivable to Alito that a gay wedding might simply happen, without objections, after ten years of legalization. (That’s longer than the lifetime of most children listening to this book.)
A joyful gay wedding must be offensive if one believes that happiness is only for people in heterosexual marriages. But children come from many kinds of families and deserve books about all of them.
I’m reminded of living in Texas. Several times, when my spouse and I absentmindedly held hands, men in trucks raced up, honked, and pointed. Like those men, the Supreme Court majority isn’t content to choose their own marriage type and respect other people’s legal freedoms. Instead, they’ve opted to erase LGBTQ+ children and families. LGBTQ+ existence offends them. LGBTQ+ joy angers them. My response?
I JOYFULLY DISSENT.
In the dissenting opinion, Justice Sotomayor warns about the potential impacts on the public education system. What can we do to counteract this?
Once we’ve caught our breath, it’s time to pivot from horror to positive action. Make no mistake – Mahmoud v. Taylor is intended to dismantle public school education and erase LGBTQ+ people. It’s our job to make sure that doesn’t happen.
Justice Sotomayor’s dissent (78) is a powerful explanation of what is at stake and why. What can we do? Here are ideas for adults and children. For example, writing notes to teachers and librarians about how they and inclusive books have helped you and your family can encourage them. It also provides evidence in case books or educators and librarians come under attack. There are so many ways to help, like showing up at school board meetings or checking out inclusive books. Education can still be inclusive. If we show up.
Finally, we can lead with love. Two LGBTQ+ authors reminded me of this last week when my empathy and strength were wearing thin. The harms are so real; lies have consequences; betrayals of human life and rights can shatter lives. I believe in calling out injustice and actively stopping it. I also believe the way forward is not with the same tactics used to spread prejudice and censorship. Yes, there is raw, ugly hate. I see it around the world, in government, in neighborhoods. I’ve found it smeared across the social media of some of the authors in this case. Usually, the culprit is one or two people.
Hate is loud, but love builds connections, sometimes quietly, slowly. Love is stronger. And love is the point of all of this. Love is the reason for inclusive education. Love reminds us, even on the hardest, angriest days, that we belong to each other.
Now that the ruling is in, what's next for you?
This case has deepened my resolve to create books that will support and delight children, no matter what the censors say. What children need matters most. After six months of mostly responding to this case, I’m ready to get back to picture books!
I have found it harder to sell projects about marginalized identities, especially intersectional ones or those affected by discriminatory policies. I’ve adjusted my publishing expectations – not the work. Oh, that was discouraging. But it helped me to remember that this happened with Love, Violet, too. We pulled it from submissions for several years until the culture shifted. Waiting doesn’t mean “never”; injustices now don’t have to mean “forever.”
Creating is how I cope with chaos, whether writing realism or wacky humor. So, despite the challenges and occasional bout of tears, onward…
Thanks to our readers! Thanks especially to educators and librarians, who put books into the hands of children. You are heroes. Every time someone buys, checks out, recommends, or reviews inclusive books, those votes count.
Every time people support children, everyone wins. THANK YOU.
Last, Lauren and Jared, your advocacy for children and reading liberty is inspiring! THANK YOU!
Thank you, Charlotte, for sharing your story and perspective with us throughout this case. Your passion and authenticity shine through each time we hear from you. We look forward to what you write next!