|
(Sacramento, California) The California
Senate passed legislation Thursday requiring schools to teach LGBT
history.
California already requires that African Americans, native peoples, Mexicans,
Asians and Pacific Islanders be included in textbook descriptions of
"the economic, political and social development of California and the
United States of America, with particular emphasis on portraying the role of
these groups in contemporary society."
The bill, by Sen. Sheila Kuehl ( D-Los Angeles) adds gays, lesbians and the
transgendered to that list.
The Senate voted 22 - 15 to pass the measure.
“The invisibility of LGBT people in history
materials in schools exacerbates already hostile school climates in which
homophobic bullying, harassment and violence are rampant," said Kuehl
following the vote.
"Studies show that a bias-free and
LGBT-inclusive curriculum fosters tolerance, resulting in greater feelings of
student safety and less bullying of students who are perceived to be lesbian,
gay, bisexual or transgender."
The legislation was supported by Equality
California, the state's largest LGBT civil rights group.
"All students deserve to learn history from
a fair and balanced perspective,” said Equality California executive director
Geoffrey Kors.
“SB 1437 also permits teachers to use their
discretion and develop age appropriate materials within the social science
curriculum.”
The legislation still needs approval by the Assembly.
But, even if it passes there is no indication Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger
would sign it. He has been supportive of some LGBT rights measures but vetoed a
bill that would legalize same-sex marriage.
Both gay and conservative groups across the country are watching the progress
of the bill.
If the measure becomes law similar legislation could be pursued in other
states.
Conservative groups pushing for an amendment to the state constitution to ban
same-sex marriage were outraged by the Senate vote.
“This is just another example of how radical the State Senate has
become,” said Karen England, Executive Director of Capitol Resource Institute.
“SB 1437 seeks to indoctrinate innocent children caught in the tug-of-war
between traditional families and the outrageous homosexual agenda.”
©365Gay.com 2006
|
Entertainment
