California Passes Gay History Education Bill

A bill to require gay and lesbian history to be taught in schools passed the California State Assembly in a 49-25 vote yesterday and will now go to Governor Jerry Brown's desk. Introduced by Democratic State Senator Mark Leno, of San Francisco, the bill "would require schools to teach at all grade levels the historical contributions of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people," the San Francisco Examiner reported. If Brown signs it into law, the bill will require the curriculum changes to go into effect in California by January. "It's no different than instructing students about the historical role of an African-American man by the name of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., fighting for civil rights and being assassinated for his efforts than teaching students about a gay American man by the name of Harvey Milk fighting for every man’s civil rights and being assassinated for his efforts," Leno told the Examiner. Of course, not all are thrilled with the decision. The anti-gay group Concerned Women for America said the bill would "confuse children," and would be "another step toward complete normalization of transgenderism, homosexuality and bisexuality through the public schools prompting open discussions." San Francisco schools and a number of others in California already teach gay history, but some would have to change their curricula.