Family Life

04.15.11 | Sarah Harnisch

The California Senate passed a bill Thursday mandating public schools teach the history of the gay movement. Starting in the 2013-14 school year, it would prohibit districts and the California Board of Education from using textbooks or other instructional materials that reflect adversely on gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans. If the bill is adopted by the state Assembly and signed by the governor, California would become the first state to require the teaching of gay history. Christians counter that such instruction would expose students to a subject that many parents find objectionable. Republican Senator Doug La Malfa opposed the bill. He said, quote, "I'm deeply troubled kids would have to contemplate at a very early age when many of us are teaching abstinence ... what sexuality is."