California First State to Approve LGBT-Inclusive History Books for K-8 Schools

Harvey Milk

The Advocate reports:

California has made a move for the LGBT history books.

On Thursday, the California state board of education approved 10 LGBT-inclusive history textbooks for K-8 classrooms, becoming the first state in the U.S. to do so.

The state board of education also rejected two books that did not include LGBT history, as this exclusion violates California's 2011 Fair Education Act.

Written by Sen. Mark Leno — and long advocated for by LGBT organizations — this legislation requires history and social sciences curriculm to teach about the accomplishments of queer people and people with disabilities.

Rick Zbur, the executive director of Equality California, lauded the adoption of the books.

"This long fought victory is the next step for California students to learn about the contributions and history of LGBTQ people," said Zbur. "Approval of these textbooks means that California schools will now have access to approved materials that accurately represent LGBTQ people, and Equality California applauds the State Board of Education for this historic decision."

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