"LGBTQ stories are important, writes Father James Martin in wake of Supreme Court ruling"

"The Supreme Court decision on parents opting out of their children reading books with LGBTQ characters is a reminder that objecting to LGBTQ issues often falls under the guise of 'religious objections.'...

But pretty soon, it’s possible that even speaking to, or doing business with, an LGBTQ person (or having them teach your children) could be framed as a threat to one’s 'religious values.' It’s important to remember that Christianity should not be used as a fig leaf for homophobia. Moreover, many straight Christians want to be welcoming to LGBTQ people; and many straight Christian parents pray that their children will come to know LGBTQ people as their brothers and sisters. Being Christian does not mean being homophobic...

The Baptist minister Paul Rauschenbush, who is a married gay man, noted on his Instagram feed that he fears the Supreme Court ruling could also be used to opt out of learning about 'other religious people, or people who are different from you, from any background.' Rauschenbush, who is also the CEO of the Interfaith Alliance, calls it a slippery slope. 'I want my kids who are in public schools to learn stories about people who are different from them.'...

More basically, Pope Francis reminded us that telling stories is an innate part of being human, and LGBTQ people deserve to have their stories told as well.

It’s an important point. What about a book about a Muslim family that enjoys their time in their local mosque. Is that 'offensive' to practicing Christians? Or a book about a Jewish family’s experience celebrating not Christmas, but Hanukkah? Does their not worshiping Jesus pose a 'threat' to Christian children?"