Illinois LGBT and disability rights advocates praising a new California law requiring LGBT : July 20 2011

Windy City Times : by Kate Sosin, Windy City Times : July 20 2011

Illinois LGBT and disability rights advocates are praising a new California law requiring that LGBT and disability histories be included in school curriculums. That is because the law could impact curriculums all over the country, including Illinois.
Calif. Gov. Jerry Brown signed the FAIR (Fair, Accurate, Inclusive and Respectful) Education Act in law July 14, which adds LGBT people and people with disabilities to a list of underrepresented identity groups that must be covered in school instructional materials.

The act requires that students learn about important LGBT historical contributions and milestones, such as the uprising at Stonewall.

Shannon Sullivan, the executive director at the Illinois Safe Schools Alliance, an organization that advocates for LGBT students, said the act might impact what Illinois students learn as well.

"This could really change the textbook industry," said Sullivan.

According to Sullivan, major textbook companies tend to target their materials toward larger states, namely Texas and California. Sullivan thinks that because textbook makers will want to continue marketing to California schools, their newest editions will include LGBT and disability rights histories.

Those editions could be out as soon as next year, Sullivan said.

"In general, hopefully it sends a message to school leadership," Sullivan said. "It's an important part of everyone's history."

Gary Arnold—public relations coordinator at Access Living, a Chicago-based disability-rights organization—said the act could also change the way that people think about disability rights nationally.

"Historically, issues of people with disabilities have not been looked at by the general population as civil rights issues," Arnold said. Documenting those struggles in history books could change the perception that disability rights are strictly medical.

Arnold said that a similar bill has not been tried in Illinois yet, but that the win in California might inspire one.

Sullivan, too, thinks that success will be contagious. "It does set a legislative precedent," she said. "Then it becomes more sellable in other states."