Does Gay History Belong in U.S. Classrooms?

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California becoming the first state to pass a law requiring public schools to teach gay and lesbian history.

To advocates it's about time but critics say teaching gay history does the students a disservice sit here now for a fair about -- -- if they.

Saying he's a senior fellow at the family research council and Mitchell gold is founder of faith in America.

-- thanks for joining us.

They -- -- to be -- Mitchell I wanna start with you you support this law why is it necessary to -- gay history.

Well this is they're really great -- -- to happen in America because now.

Gay lesbian bisexual or trans -- kids that are in school.

We'll get the positive reinforcement in self esteem that they deserved they are who they are they -- -- or as they're born.

And they need to each year.

That there are role models out there that there are people in history who have done great things have been productive members of society.

And they like need I wish that when I was a kid in the sixties.

I had known of -- -- and right now and about Michelangelo.

Or Alexander the Great.

-- OK and Peter what don't you like about this new California law.

Well even the Los Angeles Times oppose this law on the grounds that politicians do not have the expertise to be out writing curriculum.

It's ridiculous to be using a history curriculum to try to boost student self esteem the purpose of history is to teach history and that what this really amounts to is injecting pro homosexual propaganda in the curriculum making the schools take sides in the culture war.

And we know it will be a one sided curriculum because they explicitly forbid anything that might quote -- quote reflect adversely upon the groups involved.

That's not that's not.

Accurate and not balanced history.

-- why is a historical figures sexual orientation relevant.

Well ideally it wouldn't be relevant but it is in our society.

-- -- You know we we all we hear about all the heterosexuals.

-- people -- -- -- -- -- heterosexuals premise society.

And we need to his -- and much more diverse society -- that's not just what Americus.

We decided Michelangelo I mean obviously we've overdone Michelangelo -- of Michelangelo's bass accomplishments what does it matter if he's gay or not.

Because when you're a a Yahoo! thirteen or fourteen year old kid -- you're just starting to understand.

Your sexual orientation.

And if unfortunately.

-- -- -- to a church or synagogue where you're being.

They asked and -- from the pulpit where you're being told that your rescind their and -- abomination.

And -- your -- You do need to hear the other side I sat in this churches I've heard the kinds of things.

That the family research council other groups put out there are and kind of immense harm that that causes to young people let this is why kids jump off the.

Well that has nothing to do with how we teach history.

And I would point out that that concept of homosexuality.

As a sexual orientation.

-- is not even conceived out until the late eighteen hundreds so to describe historical figures like Alexander the greater Michelangelo -- quote -- quote day.

Is a complete anachronism.

But Mitchell was brought up another concern we have which is just a direct attack that's -- is a director I can't I can't -- I think liberty.

This is -- did direct attack upon the three major that it orthodox teachings of the three major monotheistic religions.

All of which have taught that homosexuality was immoral and it it.

Is.

But a violation of the religious liberty.

Those who believe in the teachings of those religions and -- parents.

Who don't want there children subjected to anti religious propaganda in the schools Mitchell lessons -- That this is not anti religious propaganda and you're just wrong -- that the three religions all teach that they don't teach that reform Judy isn't doesn't -- it.

Episcopal don't teach at the event event helical Lutheran Church doesn't teach it.

You are particular.

Parts of the church to teach it and it's misguided it's outdated information.

And people know now that their kids that their Brothers and sisters that their family and friends.

That they're not -- that they're not broken and if you wanna teach them that their broken on Sunday in your church.

Unfortunately that's your religious freedoms -- -- or -- -- I don't know are we gotta keep kids another opportunity to hear that they are good.

And -- and Peter quickly your response.

I just want to say oh we support programs to.

Reduce bullying but the bullying.

We should prevent bullying against anybody and not be singling out specific categories.

Of a groups for special protection.

And.

That has nothing to do with the social studies curriculum.

In the schools okay -- -- Mitchell gold obviously a controversial topic we appreciate you both coming into debate it.

Thank you -- why you.

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Does Gay History Belong in U.S. Classrooms?

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