Parent's Suit Against School's "Opposite Sex Day" Survives Dismissal Motion

In Stanley v. Carrier-Mills Stonefort School District No. 2, 2006 U.S. Dist LEXIS 68061 (SD IL, Sept. 21, 2006), an Illinois federal district court refused to dismiss a claim by the parent of school children that the school's "Opposite Sex Day" violated her right to raise her children according to her Christian beliefs. The school encouraged, but did not require, students to dress for that day in clothing of the opposite sex. Plaintiff claims that even though not required, the stigma of not participating would effectively compel her children to cross dress, in violation of Deuteronomy 22:5 that reads: "A woman must not wear men's clothing, nor a man wear women's clothing, for the Lord your God detests anyone who does this."