Democrats want gays in California textbooks

April 1, 2011

Democrats in Sacramento intend to introduce legislation requiring California public schools to teach about the contributions of gay, lesbian, and transgender Americans. [LA Times]

A similar bill was passed five years ago, only to be vetoed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. However, activists are more hopeful for passage with Jerry Brown in office, though the current governor has yet to take a public position on the issue.

This new attempt 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.

If implemented, the measure, which would revise social science textbooks, could have effects beyond California. The state is a major purchaser of educational texts, and publishers often produce books tailored to California that other states use as well.

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 California and the United States of America, with particular emphasis on portraying the role of these groups in contemporary society.”

Each school district would decide which age groups received such instruction.

Sen. Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) 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 Seth Walsh, a 13-year-old student from Tehachapi who committed suicide last year after facing anti-gay bullying at school.

Although some teachers have testified against the change, it is supported by the California Teachers Association and the Los Angeles Unified School District.

 

 

 


Loading...
45 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Another fine example of liberal social engineering in CA. Makes it easy to understand why or public school system is a joke. We spend more time trying to make everybody/group/ethnicity feel special. Prepare youths for a productive future with a balanced education of math, science, reading? Oh no we couldnt possibly, not when there is a new liberal hot button issue to try to brainwash the children with. In my time it was the eco Nuts with save the rain forests. Now adays its trying to legislate or socialy Engineer via the schools that you HAVE to think these alternative lifestyles are equal to the traditional family unit. If you think its unnatural, why then your just ignorant/intollerant etc. I can see why the concept of school vouchers that would compensate families for private school tuition are so appealing.


WASTE WASTE WASTE

Besides being a real waste

It is compulsory indoctrinating of irrelevant gay glamor/ envy into the psyche of the very young children.


Hmm, I must have missed the part where it said that they were very young children.


“requiring California public schools to teach about the contributions of gay, lesbian, and transgender Americans.”


“The proposal would require that social science texts and other instruction ”


“Each school district would decide which age groups received such instruction.”


“said it addresses a glaring oversight in educating young people ”


“a 13-year-old student from Tehachapi ”


I don’t think the article about the pending bill, targets adult education or college students…


Pure political grandstanding. The truth is occasionally one’s sexual orientation is appropriate in history books but mostly it is irrelevant. Politicians passing a law will cost the state money and make education more difficult for teachers. We need to get back to allowing teachers to decide when a historical figure’s sexuality is relevant to the subject matter, not politicians.


Large voting contigency here. Democrats don’t want to miss the opportunity.