Kids In California Are Now Going To Learn LGBT History In School (VIDEO)

Students in California are going to be hearing some new things in history class. Public schools in California will be the first to teach LGBT history.

Second graders will learn about families with gay parents. They will learn about Harvey Milk and other activists. They have passed the nation’s first law requiring LGBT events be included in history class.

lgbt history
Image via YouTube screengrab.

Lauryn Wyld, a California curriculum specialist, said:

“We are proud to represent a diverse state, and we are proud that this framework reflects the state that we serve.”

Equality California Director Rick Zbur said that he hopes this new curriculum will help with the bullying LGBT students face. He said:

“By seeing themselves reflected in lessons and materials, students’ experiences are validated and their sense of self-worth reinforced, creating the opportunity for students to be able to achieve academically.”

This was part of a law that was passed in 2012, but it took this long to finally get it implemented. People have been fighting against it and trying to get it repealed.

Changes to the curriculum will happen in elementary, middle, and high schools. The Los Angeles Times reported:

“In fourth grade, for example students would learn about…”the emergence of the nation’s first gay rights organizations in the 1950s,” the framework states, as well as struggles in California from the 1970s to the present day to affirm the right of gay people to teach and to get married.”

California wants to include more minorities in the history books. This includes the LGBT community, people with disabilities, and others. There is still one group that is being left out, though.

Native Americans are upset at the curriculum change. One teacher named Brianna Leemkuil said:

“There is no mention of Manifest Destiny or Native Americans. You want us to talk about a tiny LGBT community and ignore the killing of an entire people group?”

Let’s just hope that we can get all minorities included in the curriculum.

Here is a news story showing some of the close-minded thinking that is still against this positive change.

Hi, I'm from Huntsville, AL. I'm a Liberal living in the Bible Belt, which can be quite challenging at times. I'm passionate about many issues including mental health, women's rights, gay rights, and many others. Check out my blog weneedtotalkaboutmentalhealth.com