Calif. textbooks to include gay deeds

SACRAMENTO, July 14 (UPI) -- Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill Thursday making California the first state to require the inclusion of gay contributions in school history textbooks and lessons.

Brown called it an "important step forward for our state," the Los Angeles Times reported.

"History should be honest. This bill revises existing laws that prohibit discrimination in education and ensures that the important contributions of Americans from all backgrounds and walks of life are included in our history books," Brown said.

The bill was introduced by state Sen. Mark Leno, a San Francisco Democrat.

The Times said the legislation sparked heated debate in the Legislature, but it was pushed through by the Democratic majority, though Republicans said it forced a "gay agenda" on students.

Leno said it would reduce bullying.

But Benjamin Lopez of the Traditional Values Coalition in Anaheim said, "It's a sad day for the state of California. We have failed at our core educational mission and yet we are now going to inject gay studies into the classrooms. It's absurd and offensive.''