Last week openly gay Queens City Council Member Daniel Dromm celebrated National Coming Out Day by coming out in support of LGBT history. On October 14th he proposed a resolution asking the New York City Department of education to implement a curriculum and to access textbooks that include LGBT historical figures. The proposal mirrors SB48, a California law passed in July.
The law requires public schools in California and the California Board of education to use textbooks and teaching materials that include LGBT historical figures. The law does not apply to private schools (including ones with religious affiliations), nor does it apply to homeschooled students. Despite mandating that LGBT figures are covered in curriculum, there are no mandates about how to implement it. There is no specific content that must be included, nor does it specify a grade level to begin the instruction.
At this point only informal articles and polling has occurred since the resolution’s proposal. This remains a key issue to be watched not only because of its implications for NYC, but because of its effects on other legislative bodies throughout NYS.
If your city council or the New York State legislature proposed a similar resolution or bill, would you support it? How do you feel about the bill?
It's interesting I see that one person who voted in our online poll voted "NO" that they would not support the inclusion of LGBT history in school curricula. I don't know if that person is a regular reader here...and would be willing to comment (even anonymously)...but I'm very curious why they voted that way.
I voted "YES" (obviously)---I think one of the key ways to improve the sense of self worth in LGBT young people is to help them recognize that they are neither alone NOR are they the first queer person ever. I firmly believe that members of other marginalized groups (i.e. people of color, women, etc.) benefit greatly from learning about the struggles and successes of their community throughout history....it helps create a sense of identity and instills a sense of pride about oneself. I would love for LGBT youth (or even straight youth from LGBT families) to have the same opportunity to learn about themselves and their community in such a normalized way.