Gov. Jerry Brown after he was sworn in on Jan. 3. (AP Images/Rich Pedroncelli) |
California could
become the first state to mandate that school districts must teach
out of textbooks and instructional materials that include homosexual,
bisexual and transgender teachings. On Thursday, the
Democrat-controlled state Assembly passed Senate Bill 48—the Fair,
Accountable, Inclusive and Respectful Education Act (FAIR Act).
The bill passed
the Assembly Education committee on June 22, and the state Assembly
sent it through to Gov. Jerry Brown on a 49-25 vote. Brown has 12
days—from the time it hit his desk—to either sign SB 48, veto it or let it become a bill without a
signature.
The FAIR Act,
written by self-admitted homosexual state Sen. Mark
Leno of San Francisco, will require that homosexuals,
bisexuals and transgenders be included in textbooks and instructional
materials in a manner that does not “reflect adversely” upon
them. This means that textbooks and materials—for students in
kindergarten through 12th grade—must present lesbian, gay, bisexual
and transgender people, groups and lifestyles in a positive manner.
Nothing negative or perceived to be negative about them can be
presented.
“Here in
California the enemy is raging like a lion, seeking to destroy
families while targeting children at an early age,” Maryal
Boumann, director of Pray California, said in an email to Charisma
News.
According to Brad
Dacus, president of Pacific Justice Institute, if the bill passes, it
will affect more students than just those in California.
“The reality is that the major textbook manufacturers do not
create different textbooks for each state,” Dacus explains.
“Instead, they seek to comply with mandates in the largest states,
especially California and Texas. As a result, many smaller states are
pressured into approving California-focused instructional materials,
which must now cater to the gay history mandate.”
Boumann sent a
request via email to Pray California members, urging them to contact
the governor’s office.
“We
must take action or (I believe) we shall be held accountable
for being silent. May our eyes be open to realize the evil effects
this will have on our children, beginning at the kindergarten age when their little minds and spirits
are so susceptible and trusting,” Boumann’s email said.
The Pacific
Justice Institute is also urging Californians to contact Brown’s
office and urge a veto of SB 48. The organization also encourages
parents, school board members and legislators outside California to
investigate the textbooks being approved by their state boards of
education and purchased by their local school districts.
Without parent
vigilance, “San Francisco values will be introduced by stealth into
classrooms across the country,” Dacus warns.
To contact
Brown’s office,
call (916)
445-2841, fax (916) 558-3160 or send an email.