Keep Whitman (and Others) in California Classrooms

Sigh. Ok. A tweet from The Academy of American Poets pointed us to a column in L.A. Weekly that illuminates a group of folks in California, called SB 48, who want to repeal a state law that allows students to learn about important historical figures who happened to be gay.

From the column:

In California, a group called "Stop SB 48" wants to repeal a state law that allows students to learn about Whitman and other important people in history who were gay.

Born in 1819, Whitman was a poet, essayist, and journalist, who would publish his masterpiece, Leaves of Grass, in 1855 with his own money.

At the time, the collection of poems was seen as obscene because of its overt sexuality, but it became widely acclaimed for its humanity and use of free verse, which influenced generations of writers and poets.

And a bit more on the law itself:

In July, Governor Jerry Brown signed SB 48, also known as the Fair, Accurate, Inclusive, and Respectful (FAIR) Education Act, into law.

It revised an existing law that adds the LGBT community to a list of under-represented cultural and ethnic groups that are covered in textbooks and other instructional materials in schools.

Stop SB 48 wants to repeal FAIR through a ballot measure, and the group has now started a petition drive to get the initiative on the June, 2012, ballot.

In seeking the repeal of FAIR, Stop SB 48 is creating the same kind of coalition of religious groups and conservative think tanks that worked to get California voters to approve anti-gay marriage Proposition 8 in 2008.

Courage Campaign, Equality California, and other gay rights and social justice groups are undertaking a "decline to sign" effort to keep California voters from signing Stop SB 48's petition.

"They want kids to grow up thinking gay people have never contributed to society at all," Courage Campaign founder Rick Jacobs wrote in an email to his members.

Makes a body think of this SNL skit.