The long-standing debate over the government’s role in
determining academic curricula will run head-on this week into the
struggle for gay rights as the California Senate hears a bill that
would require publishers to include gay and lesbian history in
public school textbooks.
Sponsored by Sen. Sheila Kuehl, D-Santa Monica ““ a UCLA
alumna and former UCLA law professor ““ the bill has drawn the
ire of some conservative groups who do not believe gay and lesbian
history is an appropriate subject of study for children.
The bill would require publishers to include the contributions
of “people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender to
the economic, political and social development of California and
the United States of America,” according to the bill.
Textbook publishers have different editions for different
regions, so only California textbooks would be affected.
Supporters of the bill have said they hope including gay and
lesbian issues in course curricula for public schools will replace
the negative and stereotyped images of the LGBT community with more
informed ones among California youths.
This is not the first time Kuehl, the first openly gay or
lesbian person elected to the California Legislature, has fought
for gay issues in education. In 2000, she authored a bill, since
signed into law, which prohibits discrimination by schools based on
sexual orientation.
Kuehl said the bill is essentially an adaptation of her previous
legislation outlawing discrimination against the LGBT
community.
“Because there is no prescription in the law now about
LGBT people, official educational materials can contain information
that is adverse or discriminatory,” Kuehl said. “We
just want to make sure the official educational materials are
bias-free.”
By exposing students to issues they may not have previously
encountered, Kuehl said, the bill will help foster an atmosphere of
tolerance among children who have not had much education about gay
rights issues.
Previous studies by organizations such as the California Safe
Schools Coalition have shown that students experience less
discrimination at schools that address gay and lesbian issues.
But some religious groups who oppose this bill believe teaching
gay and lesbian history to children suppresses opposing viewpoints
on a controversial issue.
“It’s pretty one-sided because it would shut down
any discussion from individuals who think that homosexuality is not
a good thing,” said Lynne Fishel, a spokeswoman for the
California Family Council. “Not everyone thinks that
homosexuality is mainstream.”
By requiring students to learn about gay and lesbian issues,
even if they do not support gay rights, Fishel said,
“it’s almost discrimination in the reverse.”
Fishel also said including gay and lesbian history could open
the floodgates to other segments of society demanding
representation in educational materials.
“Where do you draw the line in terms of groups you
include?” Fishel said.
The conservative religious organization sent out a special
e-mail newsletter last week urging its subscribers to call their
congressional representatives to express their opposition to the
bill.
In the message, the group characterized the legislation as
“pro-homosexual indoctrination disguised as
tolerance.”
Equality California, a nonprofit gay rights advocacy group, has
backed the bill, along with seven other groups aimed at eliminating
discrimination based on sexual orientation.
“Current California law recognizes the importance of
teaching about a variety of people and groups that contribute to
our diverse society,” said Geoffrey Kors, Equality California
executive director, in a press release.
“Adding the important contributions of the lesbian, gay,
bisexual and transgender community and individuals is in keeping
with that educational goal.”