No. 23-1069

STEPHEN FOOTE, individually and as Guardian and next friend of B.F. and G.F., minors; MARISSA SILVESTRI, individually and as Guardian and next friend of B.F. and G.F., minors,

Plaintiffs, Appellants,

JONATHAN FELICIANO; SANDRA SALMERON,

Plaintiffs,

v. LUDLOW SCHOOL COMMITTEE; TODD GAZDA, former Superintendent; LISA NEMETH, Interim Superintendent; STACY MONETTE, Principal, Baird Middle School; MARIE-CLAIRE FOLEY, school counselor, Baird Middle School; JORDAN FUNKE, former librarian, Baird Middle School; TOWN OF LUDLOW,

Defendants, Appellees.

APPEAL FROM THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS

[Hon. Mark G. Mastroianni, U.S. District Judge]

Before

Montecalvo, Thompson, and Rikelman, Circuit Judges.*

* Judge Lipez heard oral argument in this matter, but thereafter recused. He did not participate in the issuance of the panel's opinion in this case. Judge Montecalvo was substituted for Judge Lipez on the panel pursuant to Internal Operating Procedure VII(D)(4) by order dated August 26, 2024. Mary E. McAlister, with whom Vernadette R. Broyles, Child & Parental Rights Campaign, Inc., Andrew Beckwith, Samuel J. Whiting, and Massachusetts Family Institute were on brief, for appellants. David S. Lawless, with whom Nancy Frankel Pelletier and Robinson Donovan, P.C. were on brief, for appellees. Ilya Shapiro and Manhattan Institute on brief for amici curiae Manhattan Institute and Dr. Leor Sapir. Adam C. Shelton and Goldwater Institute on brief for amicus curiae Goldwater Institute. William A. Estrada and Parental Rights Foundation on brief for amicus curiae Parental Rights Foundation. Steven W. Fitschen and National Legal Foundation on brief for amici curiae The Family Foundation; Illinois Family Institute; Concerned Women for America; National Legal Foundation; and Pacific Justice Institute. Gene C. Schaerr, Annika Boone Barkdull, Schaerr Jaffe LLP, Jennifer C. Braceras, and Independent Women's Law Center on brief for amicus curiae Independent Women's Law Center. Katherine L. Anderson, David A. Cortman, Vincent M. Wagner, Tina Seideman, and Alliance Defending Freedom on brief for amicus curiae Alliance Defending Freedom. J. Marc Wheat and Advancing American Freedom, Inc. on brief for amici curiae Advancing American Freedom, Inc.; Able Americans; American Cornerstone Institute; American Principles Project; American Values; Center for Political Renewal; Center for Urban Renewal And Education; Christians Engaged; Citizens United; Citizens United Foundation; Coalition for Jewish Values; Committee for Justice; Common Sense Club; Dr. James Dobson Family Institute; Eagle Forum; Faith and Freedom Coalition; Family Institute of Connecticut; Missouri Center-Right Coalition; My Faith Votes; National Association of Parents; National Center for Public Policy Research; National Religious Broadcasters; New Jersey Family Policy Center; Project 21; Religious Freedom Institute; Russell Kirk Center for Cultural Renewal; Tea Party Patriots Action, Inc.; The Family Foundation; The Justice Foundation; and Young America's Foundation. Luke N. Berg and Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty on brief for amicus curiae Dr. Erica E. Anderson, Ph.D. Gary M. Lawkowski and Dhillon Law Group, Inc. on brief for amicus curiae Center for American Liberty. Austin Knudsen, Montana Attorney General, Christian B. Corrigan, Montana Solicitor General, and Peter M. Torstensen, Jr., Assistant Solicitor General, on brief for amici curiae State of Montana and 18 Other States. Jeffrey M. Gutkin, Reece Trevor, Maureen P. Alger, Cooley LLP, Karen L. Loewy, Paul D. Castillo, and Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund, Inc. on bri