First Liberty Institute, a religious rights law firm, sent a letter to the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA) located in Aurora, demanding the school immediately approve senior Marcail McBride's request. 

"Under Illinois law, schools must provide religious accommodations for their students, and they must also honor requests to excuse students from programs with sexual content," said Keisha Russell, counsel to First Liberty Institute. 

"Schools should never violate the religious conscience of their students. We hope President Torres ends the school administrators' clearly unlawful behavior and protects the religious liberty of every student by granting an accommodation to the family," Russell continued.

The IMSA offers programs for talented students from 10th grade through 12th grade. The school's tuition-free residential educational program enrolls a diverse student body of 650 from all areas of Illinois; admission is highly competitive, according to the IMSA website. 

The school requires students to complete the Student Gender and Sexuality Program before graduation. Students must agree to both "stay engaged" and "experience discomfort" while participating in the program, which uses sexual language to identify sexual preferences and gender identity.

In November, McBride's parents notified IMSA officials that their daughter could not participate in the program because it forces her to violate her religious beliefs. The IMSA leadership repeatedly denied the McBrides' request and threatened to punish Marcail if she does not participate in the program.

According to attorneys with First Liberty, the Illinois Religious Freedom Restoration Act requires IMSA to refrain from placing a substantial burden on the religious exercise of its students. 

And Illinois law states, "No pupil shall be required to take or participate in any class or course in comprehensive sex education if his parent or guardian submits written objection thereto, and refusal to take or participate in such course or program shall not be reason for suspension or expulsion of such pupil."

Russell added, "The school is attempting to evade the law that allows parents to opt their children out of sexual education by claiming that discussions about sexuality are not sex education. But the law is clear—the school is required to provide an accommodation to our client." Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

Quick-Thinking KFC Worker Helps Save Alleged Kidnapping Victim after She Secretly Slips Him Note 'Begging for Help'

US Congresswoman Introduces Resolution to Label Israel's Founding a 'Catastrophe'

Buffalo Shooter Wore Same Nazi Symbol as the Ukrainian Military

Kansas Town Reverses Decision Removing 'In God We Trust' from Police Cars after Community Uproar

Nursing Moms Step-Up during Baby Formula Crisis: 'To Whom Much is Given, Much Will be Required'

Gates-Funded Research Has Created a Bird Flu Virus Capable of Becoming the New COVID-19

URGENT: Proposed US Amendments to World Health Organization Treaty Would Erode American Sovereignty

Texas Teen Goes to Bathroom at NBA Game, Is Found 10 Days Later Sold for Sex in Oklahoma Hotel

Michigan Court Blocks Enforcement of 1931 Abortion Ban That Would Take Effect if Roe is Overturned

Massive Cross-Border 'Sophisticated' Major Drug Tunnel Found Linking Tijuana to San Diego: '4 Feet In Diameter and About Six Stories Deep'

Report: Biden's DHS' Disinformation Governance Board on Death Watch after Operations 'Paused'

Recount Required in Pennsylvania Senate Race as Trump-backed Dr. Oz, McCormick Neck and Neck

Elon Musk Says He'll Vote Republican in Midterm Elections

The One-Two of Elon Musk and Project Veritas Might End Twitter

'Jesus Has All Authority': Candace Cameron Bure Says 'Powerful Enemy' Attacked Her Home

Tens of Thousands of Youth Shout 'Fill Me, Holy Spirit' at The Send Crusade

'Why Did You Choose to Have Me?': Fox News Host Asks His Mom On-Air Why She Chose Life after Getting Pregnant as a Teen

5 Lies Abortion Supporters Spread About Overturning Roe And How to Counter Them

Michael Flynn Files $50 Million Claim against Feds in Prelude to Lawsuit over Russia Probe: 'Of All of President Trump's Appointees, the Obama White House Hated Flynn the Most'

Pivotal Pennsylvania Primary: Why It Could Hold the Key to US Senate