A measure proposed by state Sen. Mark D. Leno of San Francisco would require new social science textbooks to include ‘a study of the role and contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans.’<\/em><\/p>\n

Reporting from Sacramento — As the battle over same-sex marriage makes its way through California’s courts, another gay rights fight is smoldering in the Legislature.<\/p>\n

Democratic lawmakers have revived a plan to require state schools to teach about the contributions of gay, lesbian and transgender Americans. They are reigniting a movement that halted five years ago when legislators approved such a requirement only to run into opposition from then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.<\/p>\n

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The proposal would require that social science texts and other instruction include “a study of the role and contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans … to the economic, political and social development of California and the United States of America, with particular emphasis on portraying the role of these groups in contemporary society.”<\/p>\n

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“We are trying to provide, for those students that feel disenfranchised, some role models,” said Virginia Strom-Martin, the district’s lobbyist.<\/p>\n