California lawmakers pass bill to require "gay" history be taught in public schools

Mike Shaner
July 6, 2011

SACRAMENTO, Calif.  — lawmakers on Tuesday sent Governor Jerry Brown a bill that would make California the first state requiring public schools to include the contributions of gays and lesbians in social studies curriculum. Former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed a similar bill in 2006.

The bill SB48, passed through senate on a party-line vote, adds lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people as well as people with disabilities to the list of groups that schools must include in the lessons. It also would prohibit material that reflects adversely on gays.

“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.

It is troubling that Sacramento politicians chose to make this an issue when California students consistently under perform in areas such as math and science but most impressing, is the promotion of collectivism.

Assemblyman Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco) says SB48 is crucial because of the bullying that happens to gay students. Is it reasonable to assume that this legislation will be effective in curtailing bullies? I believe the opposite is true. The problem with legislation such as this is that it promotes a herd mentality. It treats gays and lesbians as a collective group as opposed to individuals. When we think of people as a group or a team as opposed to individuals we are asking for discrimination. Of course one wants his own "team" to e successful.

Whenever government decides to promote one group or shield it from harm, it automatically triggers defense mechanisms of individuals who are excluded. Whenever we allow the government to exclude one person from the right to be offended, we offend another.

If the goal is to eliminate discrimination, it is absurd to believe this can come about by advocating special treatment for those who already suffer from the resentment of their peers. The more reasonable approach would be to celebrate individuals (gay, straight, or otherwise) who have practiced nobility and tolerance. Discrimination based on race, religion, sexual orientation, etc... can only be eradicated by spreading the philosophy of individualism.

The more likely goal is pandering to a base in order to score political points. It is no wonder, that in a time of fiscal crisis, when local representatives are trying to secede from the state, that lawmakers would try to rally the troops with a social distraction.

The Government is using a self-inflicted budgetary and educational crises as an opportunity to render itself more control over our children’s minds. Conversely, as a private citizen, I see the education crises as an opportunity to enact meaningful change.

The baneful leviathan here is state sponsored education. The only way to ensure that your children receive a quality education is to opt out of state run institutions and seek private alternatives.








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