Print ArticleSacramento, CA (April 7, 2008) – Two bills introduced by Assemblyman Bob Huff that would have overturned a contentious section of the Education Code and required parental notification when sexual orientation or gender identity issues were to be discussed in public schools were rejected in the Assembly Education Committee on a party-line vote of 3-6.
AB 2085 would have removed controversial language inserted into the Education Code last year with the passage of SB 777 (Kuehl). Specifically, SB 777 imposed a prohibition of any instruction or school activity that reflects or promotes a "discriminatory bias" against any person because of their sexual orientation.
After passage of SB 777, widespread concern was expressed by parents, teachers and students that SB 777 will promote reverse discrimination against the millions of California students with traditional values or religious beliefs. AB 2085 would have returned the Education Code to its previous state prior to the passage of SB 777, where statutory provisions already protected all students from discrimination.
"I am disappointed by the committee´s decision not to move these important billsforward," Huff commented. "It is a travesty that we tax people to pay for public education, then mandate that their tax dollars be used to indoctrinate their own school-aged children with social and moral values different from those taught at home. No one wants discrimination of any kind in our schools, but we must make sure that in our zeal to protect our children, we don´t go overboard and create a reverse discrimination against the majority.
Another Huff bill, AB 2086 would have required a school district to send a notice to parents or guardians when gender identity or sexual orientation is discussed in public school classrooms. This preserves parental rights when sensitive and controversial subject matter is discussed in class.
Over 50 concerned citizens from across the state showed up to voice their support for these measures at the Assembly Education Committee hearing. Additionally, citizens contacted the offices of committee members to plead for the bills´ passage.
"I am overwhelmed by the enormous grassroots support from concerned citizens for my bills," Huff said after the hearing. "It seems only fair to me that if public schools are going to hold classroom discussions on controversial subjects such as sexual orientation, parents should have an opportunity to opt their minor children out of the discussions. However, the Legislature again failed to take into consideration the beliefs and concerns of the state´s majority, in casting their votes for a vocal minority."
AB 2085 would have removed controversial language inserted into the Education Code last year with the passage of SB 777 (Kuehl). Specifically, SB 777 imposed a prohibition of any instruction or school activity that reflects or promotes a "discriminatory bias" against any person because of their sexual orientation.
After passage of SB 777, widespread concern was expressed by parents, teachers and students that SB 777 will promote reverse discrimination against the millions of California students with traditional values or religious beliefs. AB 2085 would have returned the Education Code to its previous state prior to the passage of SB 777, where statutory provisions already protected all students from discrimination.
"I am disappointed by the committee´s decision not to move these important billsforward," Huff commented. "It is a travesty that we tax people to pay for public education, then mandate that their tax dollars be used to indoctrinate their own school-aged children with social and moral values different from those taught at home. No one wants discrimination of any kind in our schools, but we must make sure that in our zeal to protect our children, we don´t go overboard and create a reverse discrimination against the majority.
Another Huff bill, AB 2086 would have required a school district to send a notice to parents or guardians when gender identity or sexual orientation is discussed in public school classrooms. This preserves parental rights when sensitive and controversial subject matter is discussed in class.
Over 50 concerned citizens from across the state showed up to voice their support for these measures at the Assembly Education Committee hearing. Additionally, citizens contacted the offices of committee members to plead for the bills´ passage.
"I am overwhelmed by the enormous grassroots support from concerned citizens for my bills," Huff said after the hearing. "It seems only fair to me that if public schools are going to hold classroom discussions on controversial subjects such as sexual orientation, parents should have an opportunity to opt their minor children out of the discussions. However, the Legislature again failed to take into consideration the beliefs and concerns of the state´s majority, in casting their votes for a vocal minority."
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