Louisiana Ten Commandments Ruling Raises LGBTQ Concerns

By: Paul Goldberg, Senior Correspondent | LGBT Politics & Education News

BATON ROUGE, La. — (February 23, 2026) — The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has ruled in favor of Louisiana’s controversial law requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in every public school classroom — a decision that is already raising concerns among LGBTQ students, civil rights advocates, and public education leaders.

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The ruling, issued by the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, determined that a lower court’s preliminary injunction blocking the law was premature because the mandated displays had not yet been installed in classrooms. Without a factual record showing how the posters are presented or used, the appeals court concluded that the legal challenge was not yet ripe for full constitutional review.

What the Court Actually Said

The Fifth Circuit emphasized that the Ten Commandments hold both religious and historical significance, stating that this “dual character forecloses any categorical rule against their display on public property.”

Importantly, the ruling does not permanently uphold the law. Instead, the court made clear that once the displays are implemented, legal challenges may resume based on how the posters are actually presented in classrooms.

“The parents seek to sidestep this difficulty by framing the case as an attack on H.B. 71’s minimum requirements alone,” the court wrote. “But an unripe challenge does not become ripe merely because a party asserts that the challenged action would be unlawful on any conceivable set of facts.”

In other words, opponents must wait until the policy is actively enforced before courts can fully evaluate whether it violates constitutional protections.

Louisiana Officials Celebrate — Civil Liberties Groups Push Back

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill defended the decision, stating:

“Don’t kill or steal shouldn’t be controversial. My office has issued clear guidance to our public schools on how to comply with the law.”

Civil liberties organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union, sharply criticized the ruling, calling it “extremely disappointing” and warning that it could force families into repeated legal battles district by district.

They argue that longstanding Establishment Clause precedent prohibits government endorsement of specific religious doctrine in public schools — particularly when students are legally required to attend.

The Bigger Question: What Does This Mean for LGBTQ Students?

While the ruling centers on constitutional procedure, its cultural and educational implications are already being debated — especially within Louisiana’s LGBTQ student communities.

1️⃣ School Climate & Inclusion

Louisiana has seen ongoing debates over LGBTQ-inclusive curriculum, gender identity protections, and parental rights legislation. Critics worry that mandating overtly religious displays in classrooms may:

Signal ideological alignment with conservative social doctrines.

Reinforce environments where LGBTQ students already report feeling marginalized.

Empower local districts to interpret religious doctrine in ways that conflict with LGBTQ equality protections.

Public schools are constitutionally required to remain religiously neutral. However, when specific religious texts are mandated for display, advocates argue it may blur the line between historical reference and state endorsement of religious moral frameworks — some of which have historically been used to oppose LGBTQ rights.

2️⃣ Legal Intersection with LGBTQ Protections

Federal protections for LGBTQ students currently stem from interpretations of Title IX and equal protection principles. If classroom religious displays are used in disciplinary contexts or curriculum framing, new legal conflicts could emerge.

The Fifth Circuit made clear this decision is narrow. Once posters are displayed, civil rights groups may bring fresh lawsuits if evidence shows discriminatory impact or coercive classroom use.

3️⃣ Psychological Impact

Research from national education groups consistently shows LGBTQ students experience higher rates of anxiety and bullying in districts perceived as ideologically hostile. Even symbolic policy changes can influence school climate.

For many LGBTQ families in Louisiana, the concern is less about the text itself — and more about how it may be invoked in debates around sexuality, gender identity, or moral instruction.

Why This Matters Beyond Louisiana

Though this ruling applies only to Louisiana’s statute, the Fifth Circuit also oversees Texas and Mississippi. If similar legislation advances in those states, this decision could shape future litigation strategies.

National advocacy organizations are closely watching how districts implement the law. If classroom displays appear neutral and historical in context, courts may view them differently than if they are integrated into moral instruction.

The constitutional fight is far from over.

Political & Cultural Context

This decision comes amid broader national debates about religion in public schools, parental rights laws, and LGBTQ curriculum policies. Conservative lawmakers argue the Ten Commandments represent foundational moral principles. Opponents contend public education must remain inclusive and secular to protect minority faiths — and LGBTQ students.

For Louisiana’s LGBTQ student bodies, the key question moving forward will be implementation:

Will the law remain symbolic — or will it influence classroom messaging in ways that affect inclusion, discipline, and identity protections?

That answer will likely determine the next phase of litigation.

JRL CHARTS will continue monitoring how Louisiana school districts implement this policy and whether future legal challenges reshape the balance between religious expression and LGBTQ student protections in public education.