Bill puts gays’ history in California textbooks

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Saying that more role models could help alleviate the social estrangement and high suicide rates of gay and lesbian students, the California Senate voted Thursday to teach the historical contributions of homosexuals in the United States.

If approved by the state Assembly and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, the measure, the first of its kind nationwide, could once again stake out California in the vanguard on gay rights. California’s Legislature last year became the first to authorize gay marriage, but Schwarzenegger vetoed the measure. Schwarzenegger has not taken a public position on the textbook bill.

If passed, it could have national implications. California is a huge portion of the textbook market, and many publishers put out a specific edition for the state that others can also use.