Washington Father Sues School District Over LGBTQ Instruction, Citing Religious Objections

A Washington state father has filed a federal lawsuit against the Lake Washington School District, alleging that his son was exposed to LGBTQ-related instruction, including a discussion of gender-change surgery, despite the parent's prior requests for religious opt-outs.

Konstantin Averkiev, represented by Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), claims the district violated his First and 14th Amendment rights by refusing to provide advance notice and allow his 10-year-old son to opt out of lessons conflicting with his religious beliefs.

The dispute began in September 2025 when Averkiev met with his son’s fourth-grade teacher at Henry David Thoreau Elementary School and requested to be excused from instruction on LGBTQ topics, gender identity, or gender transition. Although the teacher initially agreed, Averkiev later learned his son had participated in a Pride Month lesson that reportedly included a classroom discussion of gender-change surgery.

According to the lawsuit, the teacher acknowledged Averkiev’s request after the lesson. However, as the son prepared to enter fifth grade, Averkiev's broader opt-out requests were largely rejected by the district.

The Pride Month presentation, aimed at fourth and fifth graders, covered topics such as same-sex attraction, transgender identity, and the Stonewall uprising. Averkiev alleges that the classroom discussion extended beyond the presented materials, with his son reporting details about gender-change surgery.

With his son entering fifth grade, Averkiev, with ADF’s assistance, formally requested that his son be excused from LGBTQ-related instruction and other school requirements, including individual counseling sessions and the use of pronouns that conflict with his religious beliefs. ADF stated that the district only granted opt-outs for sex-education curriculum and health surveys, which are already mandated by state law.

ADF asserts that Averkiev’s parental rights are protected by the Constitution, arguing that these rights include directing a child’s religious upbringing and education. "Parents have the fundamental right to direct their children’s religious upbringing and education, even at school," Kate Anderson, ADF senior counsel, said in a statement. "Washington state officials can’t force parents like Mr. Averkiev to give up that right or accept a burden on their children’s religious upbringing in exchange for the benefit of public education."

Averkiev stated, "As a parent, I have a right to decide what my son learns about sex and gender at school. He's ten years old. I don't want him to learn about gender-change surgery and using false pronouns. I have repeatedly asked to opt my son out of the school district's LGBTQ instruction. But the district has refused. I am filing this lawsuit, so schools cannot ignore parents like me."

Lake Washington School District declined to comment when reached by Fox News Digital, stating that it adheres to "all applicable federal and state laws and guidance from the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction."