New California
Law Protecting Gay, Transgender Students Meets Resistance

A recent amendment to California's education code has outraged many conservatives, who say the new laws push a gay agenda in public schools, according to a story in TheWashington Times.

The law, SB 777, signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in October to take effect in January, forbids any activity in school that "promotes a discriminatory bias" on the basis of sexual orientation or gender.

In recent weeks, preachers, parents, conservative lawyers, and advocacy groups have launched protest campaigns, which have included pulling children out of school, circulating a petition, and even filing a lawsuit.

The law's opponents argue that the amendment would allow students to decide their own gender, creating potential "havoc" in school locker rooms and bathrooms.

"If this is not repealed, the next step is to get out of California itself -- it's like Sodom and Gomorrah," minister Vincent Xavier told the Times.

Proponents, though, say the law only clarifies and streamlines -- and doesn't expand -- existing protections for students.

"There has been no change in California law, none at all," state senator Sheila Kuehl, the Democrat who authored the original bill, told the Times. (The Advocate)