Wait for the field trips.
Illinois senators advanced a plan requiring public schools to teach a unit on the role and societal contributions of gays, lesbians and other LGBT individuals.
The Senate Education committee endorsed the measure 8-2 Tuesday. If enacted, Illinois would become just the second state to approve an LGBT inclusive curriculum.
“People learn about Jane Addams, for example, but don’t know she’s a lesbian,” said Brian Johnson, CEO of the LGBT organization Equality Illinois. “We don’t think there is true justice for the LGBT community unless we can learn about our history.”
The proposal requires all elementary and high schools to teach a unit studying “the role and contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in the history of this country and this State.”
“People need to see their history to understand that they are a part of our society,” said Sen. Heather Steans, the measure’s sponsor.
The measure would also have schools use more inclusive and “non-discriminatory” textbooks going forward.
Johnson said the measure is consistent with current law, which requires students learn the contributions of other under-represented groups, including African-Americans, Hispanics and Asian-Americans.