美加州立法要求学校开同性恋历史课

　　美国加州州长布朗14日签署一项历史性议案，使得加州成为美国第一个要求公立学校在社会学课程中加入同性恋(LGBT)内容的地方。LGBT即女同性恋者(Lesbians)、男同性恋者(Gays)、双性恋者(Bisexuals)与跨性别者(Transgender)的首字母缩写。议案要求公立学校学生学习同性恋历史以及对社会的贡献。这项议案经布朗签署后成为法律，将在2013年开始执行。

　　California Sen. Mark Leno (D) of San Francisco, seen here June 28at the Capitol in Sacramento, Calif., sponsored a bill requiring publicschools to teach the historical contributions of gay Americans. The billpassed the Assembly on a 49-25, party-line vote on July 5, and wassigned into law July 14.

　　California became the first state to require that school districtsinclude in their social studies lessons the contributions of lesbian,gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people on Thursday。

　　“History should be honest. This bill revises existing laws thatprohibit discrimination in education and ensures that the importantcontributions of Americans from all backgrounds and walks of life areincluded in our history books,” said a statement from Gov. Jerry Brown,who signed the bill after supporters and opponents endured more than aweek of suspense。

　　The bill, S.B. 48, which passed in the legislature on a mostlyparty-line vote, drew sharp opposition from some religious groups, whoraised concerns that schools were promoting what they call an immorallifestyle and impinging on parental rights to teach their children aboutsexual issues。

　　But supporters hail the law as a breakthrough that will givechildren a more complete view of history and society – and makeCalifornia students safer。

　　“Studies have shown that when students report learning about LGBTpeople in the classroom, rates of bullying decrease by more than 50percent,” said Carolyn Laub, executive director of the Gay-StraightAlliance Network in San Francisco, in a conference call with reportersthis afternoon。

　　Benji Delgadillo, a senior at San Juan Hills High School, spoke onthe call about his experience as a 16-year-old transgender student.“After 3 years of feeling like my school treated me like something thatshouldn’t exist or something that should be covered up and notmentioned, I will finally be able to learn in an environment thatrecognizes the rights, history, and humanity of my community,” he said。

　　California Sen. Mark Leno of San Francisco, the sponsor of thebill, said teaching students about gay civil rights advocate Harvey Milkis similar to teaching students about Martin Luther King. Both men wereassassinated for their advocacy work. “There’s no good reason why wewould teach the one and censor the other,” he said。