Ban on antigay materials/activities in schools approved
After a lengthy partisan debate, the California assembly has approved ban on antigay discrimination in schools. Sponsored by Democratic senator Sheila Kuehl of Santa Monica, this bill was required to expand the antidiscriminatory protections now afforded to minorities based on race, gender, and religion.
The assembly voted 47–31 to ban materials and activities in schools that are discriminatory toward gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender individuals.
The bill which now goes to the California senate, has been predictably denounced by Republicans. Assemblyman Jay LaSuer said, “This is a predatory bill. It preys on the innocence of children on a lifestyle that is unacceptable.”
The measure, known as Senate Bill 1437, had for quite some time become focus of conflict between the gay-rights advocates and moralist critics who apprehend that values were going to be under attack if the bill is passed.
Current California law provides prohibitions against teaching, activities or textbooks that discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, creed, handicap, national origin or ancestry. SB 1437 adds sexual orientation to the list of protected classes. For example, with the bill passed, public school teachers (it applies only to public school teachers, not those on privately funded institutions) could not inform their students, that homosexuality is immoral or wrong.
Skepticism is also rife, since the bill is moved to State Senate now. Margita Thompson, spokeswoman for Governor Schwarzenegger says that the Republican governor has not said whether he will sign the narrowed SB 1437. But she said the governor continues to have concerns and "will not sign a bill that micromanages textbook selection."
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