Why Should or Should Not The State Require Gay History Be Included in School Textbooks?

Gov. Jerry Brown signed into law a bill requiring California public schools to include gay history in its textbooks. Senate Bill 48 requires public instruction in social sciences to include role and contributions of lesbian, gay, bi and transexual Americans, as well as people with disbilities and other cultural groups.

The passage of the bill makes California the first state in the nation to formally introduce law requiring public schools to teach about the subject matter.

Advocates for the bill argue the bill will teach students to be more accepting and understanding in light of bullying and teasing, those who pushed for the bill say contribute to intolerance later in life. 

The bill has already met with opposition from at least one California family advocacy group. A Sacramento-based Capitol Resource Institute representative, Paul Sibaja, has voiced has already begun work for a state-wide push to overturn the bill.

Conservative groups have also voiced their opposition of the bill, saying it would teach students to accept homosexuality.