The opt-outs came after Liberty Counsel, a non-profit legal group, sent a demand letter to Osseo Area Schools District 279, in March requesting that both teachers and students "whose sincerely-held religious beliefs conflict with the lesson be permitted to opt out of it."

"Teachers have expressed to Liberty Counsel that this one-sided LGBT political indoctrination violates parental rights and the teachers' sincerely-held religious beliefs; that they object to teaching it; and that they fear retaliation if they seek to exercise their rights under Title VII to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 for a religious accommodation," the letter stated.

The school district responded by communicating to students and teachers they were free to exercise their legal rights to opt out of participating.

According to 279 Parents United, a local parents' group in Minnesota's Osseo Area School District 279, an estimated 1,800 students and at least 15 teachers opted out of the lesson.

The school had to use a cafeteria and auditorium to accommodate the large number of students opting out, according to the group.

The school district also confirmed that 394 students officially opted out at Maple Grove Senior High School by filling out a form.

"Hopefully, the school district learned a lesson to stop trying to force its agenda on students, parents, and teachers. Nearly 2,000 students and 15 teachers exercised the right to opt out of the 'LGBTQIA+' indoctrination. Public schools must respect the rights of students, parents, and teachers," said Liberty Counsel Founder and Chairman Mat Staver.

In June 2022, the Osseo school board approved an "LGBTQIA+ History and Culture Resolution," which directed the superintendent and all district staff to "support policies, practices, and curricula that respect LGBTQIA+ students and their families in June and throughout the school year," Alpha News reports.

According to the resolution, the superintendent and district staff must officially recognize June as "Pride Month," dedicate another month other than June for recognizing LGBTQIA+ History and Culture Month," and give support for "gender-affirming curriculum and pedagogical practices."

The "LGBTQIA+ History and Culture Lesson" included references to several pop culture figures who identify as homosexual or "transgender" and several global cultures which meet the criteria for inclusion in "LGBTQIA+ culture."

It also provided numerous instances of "encouragement" for students to accept and affirm false pronouns and identities including asking them if they are "confused" about; "curious about" and "questioning" their sexuality, fitting within at least one of the "Q" categories in its lengthy acronym: "LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer & Questioning, Intersex, & Asexual)."

"When thousands of students opted out of the lesson today it was a clear message that parents and students do not support the agenda of these board members," 279 Parents United told Alpha News. Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here

Talia Wise has served as a multi-media producer for CBNNews.com, CBN Newswatch, The Prayer Link, and CBN News social media outlets.

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

Why the New RomCom ‘MERV’ Can Bring You Joy This Christmas

How the 'Heavens Declare the Glory of God': What One Man's Research Has Revealed about The Star of Bethlehem

Over 50 Tren de Aragua Gang Members Imported Under Democrats Indicted in Nebraska in Massive Nationwide ATM Jackpotting Scheme

205 Child Victims Located and Rescued in DOJ Sex Exploitation Op

Trump Admin Pausing All Off Shore Wind Project Construction Due To National Security Concerns

Trump Grants Federal Workers Two Additional Christmas Holidays

America Fest 2025: Erika Kirk Endorses 'My Husband's Friend' JD Vance for President

Brent Bozell Confirmed as US Ambassador to South Africa

Jury Quickly Convicts Judge Who Helped Illegal Migrant Escape ICE

Feds Estimate Somali-Linked Fraud in Walz's Minnesota Could Top $9 Billion

Trump SUSPENDS 'Green Card Lottery' after Program Let Brown University–MIT Shooting Suspect Enter the US

Brown, MIT Shooter Found Dead for Days in NH Storage Unit; Motive Still a Mystery

House Passes Bill to Criminalize Transgender Mutilation of Children

November Inflation Falls to 2.7%, Lower than Expected: 'This Is Good News for Wall Street; It’s Good News for Main Street'

MOVIEGUIDE's Review of the New Animated Film: DAVID

Massachusetts Drops Controversial Gender Ideology Mandate for Licensing Foster Care Parents

Nearly 40% of Women Suffer Severe Grief for Years after Abortion, Miscarriage: Study

Former Pfizer Vice President: COVID Shots Were 'Designed to Cause Injury,' Reduce Fertility

Dutch Sheets Shares a Warning from the US National Counterterrorism Center

Venezuela: Trump's Pressure Campaign and Maduro's Fury