Washington dad sues school district for denying religious opt-out for young son during Pride Month lesson

By
mconnellynyp
Published Sep. 9, 2026, 2:43 p.m. ET

A Washington father is suing his son’s public school district after he said his 10-year-old was taught about gender surgery during a Pride Month lesson despite the Christian parent previously asking the school to excuse his child from LGBTQ-related instruction.

On Tuesday, Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), which is representing the father, Konstantin Averkiev, filed a federal lawsuit against Lake Washington School District, alleging officials violated Averkiev’s First and 14th Amendment rights by refusing to provide notice and allow his son to opt out of LGBTQ-related lessons and other school requirements that conflict with his religious beliefs.

The dispute began after Averkiev said he met with his son’s fourth-grade teacher at Henry David Thoreau Elementary School in September 2025 and requested advance notice and an opt-out from lessons involving LGBTQ topics, gender identity or gender transition.

Montgomery County parent Wael Elkoshairi speaks in front of supporters of parents advocating for religious rights outside of the US Supreme Court Building in Washington, DC, on April 22, 2025.Getty Images

A Washington father is suing his son’s public school district.Stuart Monk – stock.adobe.com

Pride flags fly in front of the American Flag as a group gathers for a rally at the Stonewall National Monument in Manhattan on Feb. 12, 2026.Robert Miller for NY Post

According to the complaint, the teacher agreed, but Averkiev subsequently found out his son had been taught a June Pride Month lesson that allegedly included a classroom discussion of gender-change surgery.

The teacher then said he remembered Averkiev’s request and told him he “should have sent the lessons ahead of time,” according to messages cited in the lawsuit. However, Averkiev said that the district later rejected nearly all of his broader opt-out requests as his son prepared to enter fifth grade.

The Pride Month presentation, taught to fourth and fifth-grade students, described same-sex attraction, transgender identity and the Stonewall uprising, a series of protests from people who identified as LGBTQ+ against a police raid on June 28, 1969, at the Stonewall Inn in New York City’s Greenwich Village, according to materials cited in the complaint.

'I'm the boss', Trump tells G7 counterparts

Evian (France) (AFP) – The G7 summit of world powers in France is being chaired by President Emmanuel Macron as host but on Wednesday his guest US President Donald Trump left no doubt over who he believed was in charge.

Issued on: 17/06/2026 - 12:27

I'm the boss, said Trump as he entered the session © Ludovic MARIN / AFP


"I'm the boss," Trump said as he strode in to the morning session of the last day of the three-day G7 summit, with the other leaders already in their seats.

Amid laughter, Macron appeared to take the comment with good humour. "How are you?" the French president asked.

"Good, thank you," replied Trump, a tycoon before becoming president who famously hosted the TV show "The Apprentice" with its catchphrase "You're fired!", as he finally took his seat.

Fresh from clinching an accord to end the war with Iran and celebrating his 80th birthday, Trump's presence has dominated the summit in the spa town of Evian on Lake Geneva.

French officials will be satisfied that the mercurial US president has stayed for the entire event and signed on to the G7 communique -- in contrast to the previous gathering in Canada, where he left early.

In an unusual gesture, Macron has invited Trump to dinner at the Palace of Versailles outside Paris after the summit winds down on Wednesday afternoon.

Macron, under pressure to show he is not fawning over Trump, has already said the evening at Versailles will not be a "gala" dinner.

© 2026 AFP

Source 

Worldliness in the Church | Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, Chapter 19

 
Chapter 19 - Worldliness in the Church | Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5

EllenWhiteAudio - English

Jun 10, 2026 Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5 - Ellen G. White Audiobook

Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5 contains some of Ellen G. White's most solemn messages, written from 1882 to 1889. Covering the need for revival and reformation, the Three Angels' Messages, and the approaching time of trouble, it is one of her most compelling volumes. 

📖 Listen to all chapters of this audiobook: 
• Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5 - Ellen...

NYC City Hall Turns Council Chambers Into Over-the-Top Runway for First Pride Ball

New York Post

Jun 4, 2026 

The New York City Council hosted its first-ever Pride Ball in the council chambers on June 2, transforming the space into a runway to celebrate Pride Month. Video shared by Council Member Carl Wilson showed performers dancing and walking the runway during the event, which was organized by the Council’s LGBTQIA+ Caucus.

Jerusalem Pride Parade set to take place under heightened security as city prepares for march

Police deploy forces and announce road closures ahead of the 24th annual Pride and Tolerance event in Jerusalem this evening

Marchers taking part in the annual Gay Pride Parade in Jerusalem.Yonatan Sindel/Flash90

i24NEWS

June 04, 2026 at 09:34 AM ■ latest revision June 04, 2026 at 09:36 AM

The Jerusalem Pride and Tolerance Parade is set to take place on Thursday evening, with participants expected to gather in central Jerusalem before beginning their march toward the city center.

The event marks the opening of Pride Month in Israel and is expected to draw participants, supporters, and observers from across the country.

Police have completed their preparations ahead of the event, deploying officers throughout key areas of the city to manage traffic, ensure public safety, and maintain order along the route.

Authorities said the operation includes both visible and undercover units, with an emphasis on safeguarding participants and minimizing disruption to daily activity.

As part of the arrangements, several main roads in the city are expected to be temporarily closed or restricted during the march, with alternative routes recommended for drivers. Traffic management plans will remain in place for the duration of the event and will be adjusted as needed.

Pride Month Flag Raising Ceremony in Detroit, Michigan

A Court Just Blocked Trump’s Trans Military Ban

 

LGBQT FESTIVAL 2026 in Israel

 

Proper Level of the Human Mind | Our High Calling - April 18

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Pride flag flies again at Stonewall National Monument

Trump administration removes pride flag from Stonewall Monument

 

PRIDE PARADE CHAOS - Multiple Arrests at WSP after Bear Spray Released a...

Multiple Arrests at Washington Square Park after Bear Spray Released and New York Police Department Clear Park

NWO: 'Pride' month & the LGBTQ agenda

The President of SDA Kinship: Celebrating Pride Month

30JUNE2023

The President of SDA Kinship: Celebrating Pride Month


by Floyd Pönitz | 30 June 2023 |

As PRIDE month—a time to celebrate equal rights for LGBTQ individuals—comes to a close, I want to celebrate our accomplishments as humans over the past 54 years since the June 29, 1969, Stonewall riots in New York City.

As a 10-year-old Adventist who already knew that he was different, I remember hearing about Stonewall and somehow identifying with what was happening there without really having the vocabulary to connect with it.

That was also the year that I got baptized and became an official member of the Adventist church. I had no idea what magical things would happen when I was dunked under the water, but that unexplained and unmentionable feeling that would later be identified as “gay” did not get washed away.

It was an innocent time—and I would become increasingly confused as the years went by and I learned the church would condemn me for just having these feelings.

Fast forward

Fast forward to today. The church’s stance and refusal to openly talk about my feelings and those of millions of Adventists is as confusing today as it was to my 10-year-old self. I thank God for SDA Kinship; it was a major influence that has saved my life and got me to where I am in life today, and has helped me to not only exist, but to thrive.

(Kinship has released many videos from people from all walks of life expressing what Kinship means to them. They can be viewed on the Kinship YouTube channel here.)

Many of our members participated in Pride Events around the world, and some Adventist churches made space for the queer members of the church to celebrate with their friends at the church. I am very proud of these church communities.

'You Are Loved': Biden Defends Transgender Children's Rights, Slams Anti...

Sheila Jackson Lee’s Long History Of Being An Entitled ‘Queen’

Benny Johnson
Reporter At Large


4:42 PM 12/27/2017



Sheila Jackson Lee has been a congresswoman for over 20 years. However, she acts far more like an arrogant monarch than a humble servant of the people.

The Texas Democrat has regularly abused her power and position to demand and receive special treatment from private companies, demean and harass subordinates, and reap untold benefits of being “The Queen.

When her abusive behavior comes to light, Jackson Lee often claims her opponents are racist.

Jackson Lee’s most recent abuse of power comes at the expense of teacher Jean-Marie Simon who was allegedly bumped from her first class seat when Jackson-Lee demanded it. Simon was given a voucher for her flight by United and moved to the economy section. On her way to the back of the plane, Simon saw Jackson Lee occupying her seat.





In a Facebook post, Simon says she spoke with a congressman who said Jackson-Lee regularly poaches seats from other passengers.

“I was the last passenger on the plane. A Texas congressman, a nice guy, sat down next to me. He said was glad I had made it on the flight. I showed him my boarding pass with my seat, 1A, printed on it. He said, ‘You know what happened, right? Do you know who’s in your seat?’ I said no. He told me that it was Jackson Lee, a fellow U.S. congresswoman who regularly does this, that this was the third time he personally had watched her bump a passenger.”

In response to the accusation, Jackson-Lee called Simon racist, saying the teacher caused a stir “because I was an African American woman.”

The loftiness of man shall be bowed down

The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.

2 And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of theLord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.

3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

4 And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

5 O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the Lord.

6 Therefore thou hast forsaken thy people the house of Jacob, because they be replenished from the east, and are soothsayers like the Philistines, and they please themselves in the children of strangers.

7 Their land also is full of silver and gold, neither is there any end of their treasures; their land is also full of horses, neither is there any end of their chariots:

8 Their land also is full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made:

9 And the mean man boweth down, and the great man humbleth himself: therefore forgive them not.

10 Enter into the rock, and hide thee in the dust, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of his majesty.

11 The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and theLord alone shall be exalted in that day.

12 For the day of the Lord of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low:

13 And upon all the cedars of Lebanon, that are high and lifted up, and upon all the oaks of Bashan,

14 And upon all the high mountains, and upon all the hills that are lifted up,

15 And upon every high tower, and upon every fenced wall,

16 And upon all the ships of Tarshish, and upon all pleasant pictures.

17 And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low: and theLord alone shall be exalted in that day.

18 And the idols he shall utterly abolish.

19 And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.

20 In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made each one for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats;

21 To go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the tops of the ragged rocks, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.

22 Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of ?

Isaiah 2

KJV

The White House LGBT Tech & Innovation Briefing

Hillary Clinton marches in NYC Pride Parade

BY DANNY LEWIS STEPHEN REX BROWN

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Sunday, June 26, 2016, 2:28 PM





Hillary Clinton joined the thousands celebrating the Pride Parade Sunday, marching for two blocks near the Stonewall Inn and waving a rainbow flag.

The presumptive Democratic nominee for president, sporting a teal pantsuit, was met with a warm reception from paradegoers, many of whom shouted “Hillary!”

Even Gov. Cuomo and Mayor de Blasio — who walked the rest of the route separately — joined Clinton’s entourage that also included Rev. Al Sharpton and New York City First Lady Chirlane McCray.


Read more

Too Many Synchronicities

Bing 360° image of Pulse Night Club then go to Yelp section title Step inside.

1. Orlando
2. Islam
3. Bathrooms

 

This past weekend June 10-12, 2016, was a convergence of peculiar coincidences in my opinion.

On Friday, June 10th, Christina Grimmie, a rising star was shot dead while signing autographs in Orlando, Florida.  Also, on Friday, June 10th, the Muslim holy day of prayer, Muhammad Ali was laid to rest in Kentucky. Muhammad Ali passed away the previous Friday, June 3rd.  Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of prayer and fasting began on Sunday, June 5, 2016.

Coincidentally, June is also Gay Pride month, and this past week the Whitehouse kicked it off with a Celebration for LGBTs.

   

On Saturday night (June 11-12, 2016) actually it was early Sunday morning (@ 2:00 AM) when a purported devout Muslim Security Guard, Omar Mateen went on a deadly rampage in a Gay Night Club (named Pulse) in Orlando, Florida. At approximately, 5:00 AM, Omar Mateen was killed after the police busted through a wall of a BATHROOM with an armored paramilitary vehicle, where THE shooter had barricaded himself with hostages he had taken from the Night Club.

   

Next month, on Sunday, July 17, 2016 an Ecumenical Interreligious Rally is scheduled to take place at the National Mall (before the Washington Monument OBELISK) in Washington, D.C.
This  event has been organized by an organization called The Pulse.

  

Arsenio.

  

P.S.

 

• Bathrooms have become a point of contention during the past few months; Proponents of LGBT rights want to open access of WOMEN's Bathrooms and Locker Rooms to LGBT and Transgender or Gender Fluid people.

• The Gay Pride movement began at the STONEWALL, a Gay Bar in New York City, where a violent confrontation occured between civil authorities and Gay Bar patrons.