California Legislature might pass bill to teach LBTGQ contibutions
The California State Legislature is attempting to pass a bill that would require the contributions of LGBT citizens to be included in public school curricula. State Sen. Mark Leno, who proposed the bill, called SB-48, asserts that the legislation is needed to address the bullying of LGBT students in schools and that it would provide the long overdue recognition of contributions to society by LGBT historical figures.
“It’s important to teach about the history of gay rights,” agreed Ian Tsurumoto, a senior at CVHS. “The gay rights movement is a civil rights movement. Every school kid in America can tell you about Martin Luther King Jr., but how many know about Harvey Milk, or the Stonewall Riots that created the modern gay rights movement?”
A similar bill was passed by the Legislature in 2006, but was vetoed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. If passed, the new bill would require the addition of events and people from LGBT history to state school textbooks. The change in curricula would vary with grade level. Supporters of the bill claim that educating students about LGBT contributions to American society would lessen fear and misunderstanding of gay citizens.
“There are many myths perpetuated by people who are against gay rights, like the myth that it can be cured, or that homosexuals are child molesters,” stated Tsurumoto.
Opponents of the bill assert that it would prevent parents from controlling what is taught to their kids.
“Parents would not be able to enact their right of opting out their children from any instruction or course affected by SB-48 because the bill requires the contributions of LGBT people to be part of the main curricula,” said Trinity Bustria, a junior at CVHS.
According to the Bustria, however, the fatal flaw of the bill is that its structure makes curricula unbalanced. Historical figures would not be incorporated into the curricula based on their accomplishments, he claims, but because “they did something worth noting in history and happened to be LGBT.” In order for the bill to provide “equality” in school curricula, Bustria believes that all of the accomplishments of LGBT people should be taught no matter how unfavorable they may be.
“Two of the most outstanding state-led slaughters resulted from the actions of two bisexuals: Idi Amin and Adolph Hitler,” remarked Bustria. “[To have equality in curricula] they should have their contributions mentioned with their sexuality.”
Despite opposition, allies of the bill believe it to be crucial to ending anti-LGBT sentiments and stereotypes in schools and creating acceptance of LGBT citizens.
“Education is the first step towards true, lasting equality for LGBT people,” said Tsurumoto.
“It’s important to teach about the history of gay rights,” agreed Ian Tsurumoto, a senior at CVHS. “The gay rights movement is a civil rights movement. Every school kid in America can tell you about Martin Luther King Jr., but how many know about Harvey Milk, or the Stonewall Riots that created the modern gay rights movement?”
A similar bill was passed by the Legislature in 2006, but was vetoed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. If passed, the new bill would require the addition of events and people from LGBT history to state school textbooks. The change in curricula would vary with grade level. Supporters of the bill claim that educating students about LGBT contributions to American society would lessen fear and misunderstanding of gay citizens.
“There are many myths perpetuated by people who are against gay rights, like the myth that it can be cured, or that homosexuals are child molesters,” stated Tsurumoto.
Opponents of the bill assert that it would prevent parents from controlling what is taught to their kids.
“Parents would not be able to enact their right of opting out their children from any instruction or course affected by SB-48 because the bill requires the contributions of LGBT people to be part of the main curricula,” said Trinity Bustria, a junior at CVHS.
According to the Bustria, however, the fatal flaw of the bill is that its structure makes curricula unbalanced. Historical figures would not be incorporated into the curricula based on their accomplishments, he claims, but because “they did something worth noting in history and happened to be LGBT.” In order for the bill to provide “equality” in school curricula, Bustria believes that all of the accomplishments of LGBT people should be taught no matter how unfavorable they may be.
“Two of the most outstanding state-led slaughters resulted from the actions of two bisexuals: Idi Amin and Adolph Hitler,” remarked Bustria. “[To have equality in curricula] they should have their contributions mentioned with their sexuality.”
Despite opposition, allies of the bill believe it to be crucial to ending anti-LGBT sentiments and stereotypes in schools and creating acceptance of LGBT citizens.
“Education is the first step towards true, lasting equality for LGBT people,” said Tsurumoto.