R-e-s-p-e-c-t

Judging by recent e-mail blasts from conservative organizations, Senate Bill 48, the FAIR (Fair, Accurate, Inclusive and Respectful) Education Act, would require California schools to teach 5-year-olds to dress for a leather bar.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

S.B. 48 isn’t about sexual identity, sexual orientation or morality; it’s about exactly what its title claims: fairness, accuracy, inclusion and respect. The language of the bill simply adds gay people to the types of Americans who have made contributions to history.

Schools don’t discuss George Washington Carver without mentioning he was African-American and born into slavery; those facts had a profound effect on his identity. Leaving out the fact that Susan B. Anthony was a woman just because some religious groups don’t think women belong in the political sphere would be a bit disingenuous, considering that her work involved moving women into the political sphere. Similarly, it would be inaccurate, unfair and disrespectful to discuss political and social change in the 1970s without mentioning Harvey Milk.

The people who are shouting the loudest about S.B. 48 are the ones who seem to wish gay people would just disappear.

When teaching Walt Whitman’s “Song of the Open Road,” it’s only fair—and accurate, inclusive and respectful—to note that his “camerado” was another man. Anything less would be dishonest.