Emma Peel
an unexpected turn of events
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- Aug 26, 2008
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http://www.turnto23.com/news/28481175/detail.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/16/us/16schools.html
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Educat...-nation-in-teaching-of-gay-history-in-schools
A bill to require California public schools to teach the historical accomplishments of gay men and lesbians passed the state Legislature on Tuesday in what supporters call a first for the nation.
The bill would require California textbooks to highlight the contributions of homosexuals in history. But some say it is going too far.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/16/us/16schools.html
While the bill does not set specific requirements about what should be taught to students, it does say that contributions of gays and lesbians in the state and country must be included in social science instruction. So Harvey Milk, one of the first openly gay elected officials in the state, and Bayard Rustin, a civil rights activist, may take a prominent place in the state’s history books.
Advocates say that teaching about gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people in schools would prevent bullying and shatter stereotypes that some students may harbor. They point to several students who have committed suicide after being taunted by peers for being gay. But the bill has drawn vociferous criticism from opponents who argue that when and how to talk about same-sex relationships should be left to parents.
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Educat...-nation-in-teaching-of-gay-history-in-schools
The 325,000-member California Teachers Association supports SB 48. “We believe that school curriculum materials should adequately portray the diversity of our society ... [and the bill] doesn’t impose an undue burden,” says spokesperson Mike Myslinski.