Textbooks to include contributions by gays

SACRAMENTO, May 4 (UPI) -- A California state Senate committee has approved a bill requiring textbooks to include the contributions of gays and lesbians.

Supporters said all students should be aware of the role that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people have made, but that the state curriculum has no such requirement, reportsTthe San Francisco Chronicle. Opponents maintained discussion of sexual orientation should be in homes and not mandated in schools.

Sen. Sheila Kuehl, D-Los Angeles told the Senate Education Committee that her bill addresses the "enforced invisibility that so many minority groups have gone through in terms of their contributions to California history." The bill now goes to the full Senate.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has taken no position on the bill, the Chronicle reported.