Calif. Gov Signs Gay Education Bill

California governor Jerry Brown signed landmark legislation Thursday that mandates the contributions of LGBT people be included in school lesson plans.

The Fair, Accurate, Inclusive and Respectful Education Act was introduced by gay state senator Mark Leno partly as a way to combat bullying of students who are gay or perceived to be. The FAIR Act passed the Senate in April and the Assembly earlier this month. Aside from ensuring that the contributions of gays and gay rights are included in textbooks, the legislation adds sexual orientation to the state's existing antidiscrimination protections that prohibit bias in school activities, instruction, and instructional materials.

"Today we are making history in California by ensuring that our textbooks and instructional materials no longer exclude the contributions of LGBT Americans," Leno, a San Francisco Democrat, said in a statement. "Denying LGBT people their rightful place in history gives our young people an inaccurate and incomplete view of the world around them."

To read how California's schools will incorporate gay rights into their curricula, click here.