Posted on 04/14/2006 8:48:22 PM PDT by txroadkill
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (BP)--A bill that would require California public school textbooks to include "gay history" is making its way through the state legislature, and experts warn it could have an impact nationwide.
The bill, SB 1437, passed a state Senate committee April 4 by a vote of 3-1 and is expected to be debated in the full body in the coming days. It would require textbooks to include "the contributions of people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender to the total development of California and the United States."
The bill also changes state law to prohibit teachers from saying anything "adversely" about homosexuality. That in of itself could change the way schools teach about the natural family (mom, dad and children).
The bill specifically is aimed at the social sciences -- which includes history -- but presumably could have an even wider reach.
"It's blatantly one-sided and would portray homosexuality, through curriculum in the schools, as mainstream," Lynne Fishel, spokesperson for the California Family Council, told Baptist Press. "It would end any open discussion about the issue of homosexuality in the public classroom."
The fear among conservatives is that if the bill becomes law, it could influence the content of textbooks in other states. California is the nation's largest textbook purchaser.
"As they say, 'As California goes, so goes the nation,’" Fishel said.
Just last year, the California Senate and Assembly, both controlled by Democrats, passed a bill that would have legalized "gay marriage." But it was vetoed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a Republican who has yet to take a public position on the latest bill.
Geoffrey Kors, executive director of the homosexual group Equality California, applauded the committee for advancing the bill.
“Current California law recognizes the importance of teaching about a variety of people and groups that contribute to our diverse society," Kors said in a statement. "Adding the important contributions of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community and individuals is in keeping with that educational goal.”
But the Campaign for Children and Families, a California-based pro-family group, argues that the bill could mean the end of "kings" and "queens" during homecoming and prom week as well as sex-specific sports such as boys and girls basketball. The bill says that "no teacher shall give instruction nor shall a school district sponsor any activity that reflects adversely upon persons because of their race or ethnicity, gender, disability, nationality, sexual orientation, or religion." That part of the bill, CCF says, could result in homosexuals and transsexuals arguing that sex-specific sports, as well as homecoming "kings" and "queens," are "discriminatory."
"There’s no mistaking that the California Department of Education will use SB 1437 to erase all traditional distinctions of gender or sexual standards," a statement on CCF's website states.
Said Fishel, of the California Family Council, "This bill legitimizes the pro-homosexual viewpoint and negates any traditional views of family. While it's shrouded in an anti-discrimination tolerance bill, it's really discriminatory against people of faith, who would question homosexuality as a behavior.
"It elevates homosexuals and transgenders into the category of men, women, blacks, Hispanics and other culture and ethnic groups.... I wasn't aware that we call out sexual orientation when we're teaching history. That would be very new for our kids," Fishel said.
Can't we just call up Vicente Fox and say, ok, Kalifornia is yours as of this moment. Good luck. BTW, do you want Oregon and Washington as a bonus?
Well, as more and more illegal invaders plop down west of the San Adreas fault line we can only hope that the added weight will -CRACK!!!- and away goes a lot of the problems that Mexifornia has become to the rest of the USA.
One time this guy Bob took his #*#@ and put it up his friend Alan's #*@#0. Then some guy named Ken came over and he @##$ his @#$# in Bob's @$#$ and %#$^T# onto his #@$#@ which Alan then proceeded to ##@$0& with a #$@2%..."
The exams will all be oral.
Ever notice how gays migrate towards and build their homes on major fault zones? Who says things aren't predestined?
C'mon, earthquake.
You don't seem to have much faith in CA FReepers getting their voice heard in Sacramento do you? This topic was posted a few days ago and as soon as I finished reading it, I emailed and then phoned my State Assemblyman. They took a few notes and were very aware of the concerns families like mine have in this proposal.
As soon as I hung up the phone, I emailed the story to my political email list and some conservative co-workers so they could pass the word.
Rest assured, this will not go forward without a fight.
Is everything ok in your land of Oz?
SZ
Chapter 1- Famous child molesters
Chapter 2- Famous people who died of aids
Chapter 3- Famous serial killers
I am sure that the textbooks already include this info. They just don't mention a historical figures sexuality.
Maybe they can classify all the names by adding either '(S)' or '(Q)'.
Why are there any sane parents left in california ... who would subject their children to an upbringing in that cesspool?
They'll teach them which historical figures were secretly gay. Only the virtuous ones, of course. All of the "bad" infamous folks will remain straight in the new pink triangle textbooks.
Expect a lawsuit challenging its constitutionality based on the first amendment.
Are they going to have absolute proof of that, or is this going to be state funded slander of dead people who are unable to defend their legacies?
It's actually a myth, and not possible, but you know that. Further it would kill 35 million Americans including me, my wife and my five children. It would also take out Jim Robinson, his family and loved ones and Free Republic.
I'm getting tired of these asinine little California hating threads. Shall we talk about commie-liberals in Texas? Or how about we just stop wishing death and destruction on innocent people and get back to the business of promoting conservatism and fighting liberals?
I attended L.A. Valley JC in the mid sixties. Had friends who became actors of some note. But back then the liberalization hadn't taken hold, though we young referred to the chips as 'storm troopers'.
If I am following this correctly, then I should get a "lovers of redheaded irish woman" day. Or a parade. Or maybe a law that states that it is okay for me to love an irish woman. You guys are holding me down. How can you ignore the plight of mirkwood who only wants to love a redheaded irish woman. My parents didn't have these problems.
NCLB is about teaching READING - if you can't READ you can't pass test. So if teaching READING so the kids can learn 'gay history' will get the READING taught, I say -- go for it!!!!!!! Anything so the kids learn to READ and not just passed on, until they reach another govt. funded education level - Jr. College, where REMEDIAL READING is taught.
Opps, forgot about the computers, cds, dvds whatever! Todays student doesn't have to learn to READ - they can
watch it instead.
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