Court says Mass. father’s battle over LGBTQ-friendly lessons excludes books on gender stereotypes

Education

The man’s lawsuit against Lexington’s school district “raises issues of ‘marriage, gender, and sexuality,’ not gender stereotyping,” a federal judge pointed out.

By Abby Patkin

February 13, 2026 | 5:08 PM

2 minutes to read

Two storybooks that touch on “gender stereotypes” fall outside a Lexington father’s legal battle over LGBTQ-friendly lessons in his son’s kindergarten classroom, a federal judge ruled earlier this week. 

The man’s lawsuit against the town’s school district “raises issues of ‘marriage, gender, and sexuality,’ not gender stereotyping—such as, for example, whether it is appropriate for girls to enjoy playing sports or for boys to enjoy cooking,” Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV pointed out in his Feb. 10 order. 

The parent, who is referred to as “Alan L.” in his Oct. 17 complaint, focused on issues of gender identity, sexuality, and gay rights in his court filings, Saylor noted. So when Saylor issued a preliminary injunction to keep educators from teaching Alan L.’s son the material in question, he likewise specified only lessons “that depict or describe LGBTQ+ characters, relationships, or activities, or LGBTQ+ political or social advocacy.”

As part of that ruling, Alan L. was tasked with identifying all classroom materials that he claims go against his family’s Christian values. However, Lexington school officials pushed back on two of the disputed books: Robb Pearlman’s “Pink Is For Boys” and Laura Gehl’s “Except When They Don’t.” Both books challenge gender stereotypes around preferred colors and activities, such as baking or make-believe pirate duels. 

While Alan. L argued the books fell under the injunction because they addressed issues of “gender identity,” Saylor disagreed. 

Of “Pink Is For Boys,” Saylor wrote: “Nothing in that book’s text or illustrations implicates the religious beliefs that plaintiff identified. … Plaintiff’s description of his religious beliefs did not include, for example, what colors are appropriate for boys and girls.”

While Saylor acknowledged “Except When They Don’t” is “perhaps a closer call,” he ultimately determined the book likewise addresses gender stereotypes, not gender identity. Alan L. had argued the book featured “crossdressing” in depicting a male figure wearing a pink baker’s smock, or a boy dancing in tights. 

“Accordingly,” Saylor wrote, Lexington educators “are not required to provide an opportunity for [Alan L.] to opt his child out of classroom instruction” using the two books. 

Elsewhere in his order, Saylor pointed to a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision as he opined that Alan L. is “likely to succeed on the merits of his claim” that he has a constitutional right to direct his child’s educational and religious upbringing, including the right to opt his son out of certain lessons and classroom materials. The father’s case remains pending. 

Abby Patkin is a general assignment news reporter whose work touches on public transit, crime, health, and everything in between.