Washington father sues school district over denied religious opt-out from LGBT-related instruction
Caroline MolloyA Washington father has filed a federal lawsuit alleging that Lake Washington School District violated his First and Fourteenth Amendment rights by rejecting most of his requested religious accommodations for his elementary-school son.
Alliance Defending Freedom filed Averkiev v. Lake Washington School District on Sept. 8 on behalf of Konstantin Averkiev. The complaint says Averkiev had asked his son’s fourth-grade teacher for advance notice and an opt-out before lessons involving LGBT topics, gender identity or gender transition because of the family’s Christian beliefs.
Averkiev alleges that his son later received a Pride Month lesson without the requested notice. The complaint says the district subsequently agreed to opt-outs where Washington law specifically requires them, including certain sex-education instruction and surveys, but rejected much of Averkiev’s broader request.
The lawsuit seeks declaratory and injunctive relief as well as damages. ADF argues that recent court rulings concerning parental and religious rights support the family’s position.
The federal district court has not ruled on the merits of the claims, and the district’s legal defenses will be considered as the case proceeds.
