Gov. Schwarzenegger has vetoed bill prohibiting textbooks that disparage gay and lesbian individuals

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has vetoed a bill that would have prohibited California schools from using textbooks and teaching materials that disparage gay and lesbian individuals. He argues that the law is unnecessary because the current education code provides sufficient protection against discrimination based on sexual orientation. State Senator Sheila Kuehl, the bill’s author, believes the governor’s veto is for the benefit of his conservative supporters. She vows to reintroduce the bill next year. The vetoed bill is a diluted version of the original, which would have required the state’s social science textbooks to include the historical contributions of gays and lesbians. While supporters viewed the original bill as empowering teachers to expand discussions on gay authors or the gay rights movement, opponents viewed it as an infringement parental rights and an attempt to promote the homosexual lifestyle. When Gov. Schwarzenegger signaled that he would veto the measure, Sen. Kuehl eliminated the language on textbooks in hopes of gaining his support. Although the governor insists that two sections of the state education code bar discrimination on the basis of sex, race, religion, disability, and sexual orientation, the senator contends her bill is different because it would have addressed instructional materials. "Students are protected from the action of school officials... but nothing protects students against negative stereotyping in textbooks," she says.