Labor, Equality Groups Work to Save Gay History Act

A broad effort has been launched to educate the California public on the need for the recently passed FAIR Act, which mandates the teaching of LGBT history in the state's schools.

More than three dozen groups are banding together to stop a repeal effort from right-wing activists. Some of the organizations fighting to keep the Fair, Accurate, Inclusive, and Respectful Education Act alive include the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California, the California Council of Churches, Sacramento Area Teachers, the Transgender Law Center, the Latino Equality Alliance, and the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center. After state legislature passed the FAIR Act, introduced by state senator Mark Leno, and Gov. Jerry Brown signed it into law July 14, conservative groups launched a plan to have it repealed by popular vote. More than a half-million signatures need to be gathered to quality the ballot measure for next June's election.

It's not yet clear how the groups will get the word out on the importance of the FAIR Act, which mandates teaching not only about the work of gay civil rights activists and but also the achievements of disabled people.

"The FAIR Education Act enables all California students to learn an honest account of history, which includes the contributions of women, people of color, LGBT people, people with disabilities, and other historically underrepresented groups," said Carolyn Laub, Gay-Straight Alliance Network executive director. "This coalition is determined to protect the FAIR Education Act and stop the extremist effort to censor LGBT people and people with disabilities from history."

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