Democratic lawmakers have revived a plan to require
state schools to teach about the contributions of gay, lesbian and
transgender Americans. They are reigniting a movement that halted five
years ago when legislators approved such a requirement only to run into
opposition from then-Gov.
Now, with a Democrat in the governor’s office, the
lawmakers and gay rights activists are more hopeful that school
curricula will be revised.
Gov.
position on the proposal. But the push has divided religious leaders,
educators and lawmakers, and prompted accusations from opponents that
those behind the effort seek to impose their values on the state and on
students and parents who find same-sex relationships objectionable.
“It is, in fact, legislating morality,” said
school board member. “It is requiring taxpayers to foot the bill to
promote a lifestyle to which they may or may not be morally opposed.”
If implemented, the measure, which would revise social science textbooks, could have effects beyond
The proposal would require that social science texts
and other instruction include “a study of the role and contributions of
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans … to the economic,
political and social development of
Each school district would decide which age groups received such instruction.
Gay rights activists say the legislation is overdue
and would extend recognition long provided in textbooks and classrooms
to historical figures who are African-American, Latino and
Asian-American.
Sen.
who introduced the bill, SB 48, said it addresses a glaring oversight
in educating young people that has led to harassment of gays by their
classmates.
In an emotional plea for the bill at a recent legislative hearing, Leno invoked the name of
“In light of the ongoing and ever-threatening
phenomenon of bullying and the tragic result of suicides, it seems to
me that better informed students might be more welcoming in their
approach to differences among their classmates,” Leno said in an
interview. “Students would better understand that we are talking about
a civil rights movement.”
Some gay high school students said they welcomed
Leno’s effort, which they said would make them feel less isolated. It
would show that non-heterosexuals “have contributed to the U.S. in
significant ways,” said a 17-year-old at Bell High School.
Meanwhile, several Republicans are aggressively fighting the proposal. State Sen.
Leno took umbrage at the remark, saying, “I would
imagine you have never been harassed or discriminated against because
you are gay. I have.”
In the first test of the measure this year, the panel passed it on a 6-3 party-line vote last week.
The measure is backed by California Church Impact, a
group whose members include the Episcopal Church, the United Church of
Christ, the Greek Orthodox Church and others. But lawmakers have been
flooded with letters of opposition from groups including the California
Catholic Conference, the First Southern Baptist Church and the Thousand
Oaks Christian Fellowship.
“This is all absurd,” said a letter from several religious leaders, including
group. “At a time when our state lacks dollars to pay for the current
needs in education, this Legislature is actually considering adding
more financial burden on schools to pay for new textbooks that will
teach so-called gay history.”
Leno said the proposed law would cost nothing.
Textbooks would be changed in the next scheduled revisions, due to be
approved by the state in a couple of years.
Although some teachers have testified against the
change, it is supported by the California Teachers Association and the
Los Angeles Unified School District.
“We are trying to provide, for those students that feel disenfranchised, some role models,” said
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