Schwarzenegger vetoes bill on gay protections in textbooks

[Judi Lynn]

Posted on Wed, Sep. 06, 2006
Schwarzenegger vetoes bill on gay protections in textbooks
Associated Press

SACRAMENTO - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed a bill Wednesday that would have barred textbooks from using language that would be discriminatory to gays, saying the state's education laws already prevent discrimination.

The bill's author, state Sen. Sheila Kuehl, called the veto "inexplicable."

Kuehl's bill initially would have required California's social science textbooks to include the historical contributions of homosexuals, but the state Assembly amended it at her request in an effort to avoid a veto from the Republican governor.

The final version of SB 1437 would have prohibited any negative portrayal of homosexuals in textbooks and other instructional material, expanding current anti-discrimination laws that apply to minorities.
(snip/...)

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/states/california/northern_california/15453400.htm

[xchrom]

1. ahnold -- first and last is a member of the republick party.

he is not a moderate -- he is not a liberal -- he is certainly not a progressive.

he is as regressive a human being that has EVER existed in any conservative party including nazis.

[Cronus Protagonist]

5. Let's also not forget that he campaigns for neocon neo-nazis

Bush being one notable recipient of a ride on Arnold's coat-tails.

[xchrom]

12. indeed.

it frys my ass to no end that normally staunch democrats like spielberg are supporting this lunatic for governor.

[OKIsItJustMe]

2. Please pardon my ignorance

Is this really a problem?

That is, are there really textbooks, currently being used in California schools, that discriminate against "gays?"

Can anyone cite some examples?

[keepCAblue]

4. It's already a law for other minorities...

State Senator Kuehl's bill would have required inclusion of sexual minorities into pre-existing law:

Kuehl's bill initially would have required California's social science textbooks to include the historical contributions of homosexuals, but the state Assembly amended it at her request in an effort to avoid a veto from the Republican governor.

The final version of SB 1437 would have prohibited any negative portrayal of homosexuals in textbooks and other instructional material, expanding current anti-discrimination laws that apply to minorities.

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/states/california/northern_california/15453400.htm

"Other instructional material" would also include texts, pamphlets and other materials used for sex ed or health ed, in which the issue of homosexuality has been traditionally (and notoriously) represented as perverse, sinful or even criminal.

(edited to add link)

[onenote]

7. here's the old and new language

The current law prohibits the State Board of Education and the governing board of any
school district from adopting textbooks or other instructional
materials that contain any matter that reflects adversely upon
persons because of their "race, sex, color, creed, handicap, national
origin, or ancestry."

The bill vetoed by Ahnold would substitute the following words for the words in quotes: "race or ethnicity, gender, disability, nationality, sexual orientation, and religion."

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/bill/sen/sb_1401-1450/sb_1437_bill_20060830_enrolled.html

[keepCAblue]

3. Heil, Ahnold!

You slimy, scum-sucking S.O.B.

[ronnykmarshall]

6. Paging Log Cabin ...

Log Cabin, please check in.

[OneBlueSky]

8. third-rate actors make third-rate elected officials . . . n/t

.

[gaspee]

9. I can't believe

This asshole is going to get reelected.

[keepCAblue]

10. Thanks, in part, to Stephen Spielberg...

...and his generous campaign contributions and public support of Herr Schwarzenegger.

If Herr Schwarzenegger was mass veto'ing the rights of Jews instead of gays, I wonder if Mr. Spielberg would still be so supportive and generous.

Mr. Spielberg, if you're reading this, I have a question for you: If you publicly and actively support a homophobic bigot, does that make you one too? If so (and I believe it does), you are no better than that bottom-feeder, Mel Gibson.

[toopers]

13. Has anyone's rights been violated?

EOM

[mac56]

11. Major props to Sen. Kuehl.

A very dedicated senator.