California lawmakers passed a bill Tuesday that would make the state the first to require public schools to teach lessons on historical and current contributions of gays and lesbians.
The bill now goes to Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown, who has not indicated whether he will sign the document, the Associated Press Reports. The regulation would also prohibit the use of any materials that reflects negatively on gays.
From the AP:
"This bill will require California schools to present a more accurate and nuanced view of American history in our social science curriculum by recognizing the accomplishments of groups that are not often recognized," said Assembly Speaker John Perez, the first openly gay speaker of the California Assembly.
But several Republicans openly rejected the measure, arguing that such a regulation would promote a homosexual agenda. The Los Angeles Times reports:
"As a Christian, I am deeply offended," [Assemblyman Tim] Donnelly said.
Perez and other Democratic supporters also noting the recent unnatural deaths of several students, which they said could have been prevented or fought by openly and objectively addressing examples of and issues surrounding the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community in school curriculum.
Even if Brown signs the bill, it will take several years to determine what the context of LGBT education will be in lesson plans, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. Additionally, California has suspended textbook updates until the 2015-16 academic year due to budget constraints.