Share this @internewscast.com

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, a Democrat, signed a law last week that includes a mandate for the state’s public schools to teach LGBTQ history, as red and blue states continue to diverge on whether schools should expose kids to gay and transgender identities.

The new law, Senate Bill 5462, mandates that the state’s school districts adopt curricula that is as “culturally and experientially diverse as possible,” including the histories of LGBTQ people, people of color and people with disabilities. Schools will be required to institute the inclusive curricula by the 2025-26 school year.

“The governor was happy to sign legislation that aims to ensure students of all races and identities feel safe and welcome at school,” Mike Faulk, a spokesperson for Inslee, said in an email Monday.

Faulk also referred NBC News to research published in the journal Sex Education that suggests LGBTQ-inclusive curricula can reduce rates of bullying and make children feel safer in school. 

Kristie Bennett is a high school teacher in Sammamish, Washington, who is bisexual and leads her school’s gender-sexuality alliance organization. In an interview last week with NBC affiliate KGW of Portland, Oregon, Bennett echoed Faulk’s sentiment. 

“I’ve seen firsthand how important an inclusive curriculum can be and how life-changing it can be to help a student see themselves in the curriculum instead of some old dead white guys from the 1700s,” Bennett said.

Washington is the seventh state to enact legislation mandating that public schools incorporate LGBTQ-inclusive curricula in some capacity, according to the Movement Advancement Project, an LGBTQ think tank. The other six are: California, New Jersey, Colorado, Oregon, Nevada and Illinois, states that have been won by Democrats in the last four presidential elections.

The law also comes as conservative lawmakers introduce record numbers of anti-LGBTQ measures, including legislation to regulate how LGBTQ issues are taught in public schools. 

Over the last several years, Republican officials have sought to limit how sexual orientation and gender identity are taught in school through measures critics have dubbed “Don’t Say Gay” laws; bans on books with queer storylines or characters; and disbandments of diversity, equity and inclusion programs at public universities.

Seven states — all but one of them led by Republicans — have laws in place that restrict the instruction of sexual orientation or gender identity in some public schools, according to MAP.

Gabriele Magni, an assistant professor of political science at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles and director of the school’s LGBTQ+ Politics Research Initiative, called the enactment of the measures to mandate LGBTQ history be taught at public schools a “reaction” to anti-LGBTQ measures introduced in red states.

“It’s similar to the analogy we’ve seen with abortion. On the one hand, you’ve seen states banning abortion or making it much more unrealistic,” Magni said. “And then, on the other hand, you’ve seen states like California or New York ramping up their protections and also offering a more welcoming environment for people who may come from out of state.”

LGBTQ advocates in Washington similarly suggested that their state’s new law was necessary to counter the idea from conservatives that queer identities are inappropriate for children. 

“It’s considered too controversial to mention to kids that Thoreau was gay or Walt Whitman was gay,” Ken Shulman, the executive director of Seattle-based LGBTQ advocacy group Lambert House, told KGW. “Alan Turing — who invented the first computer, helped serve the Enigma code and win World War II — was gay.”

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Suspect's connection to church victims emerges as police investigate Kentucky shooting

Police Investigate Kentucky Shooting and Uncover Suspect’s Link to Church Victims

Police in Kentucky are searching for a motive after a gunman shot…
Monday Morning Minute: Running on Empty

Start Your Week Right: Recharging When You’re Running Low

TOP O’ THE MORNIN’ Red-Hot at RedState  A recent New York Times…
Sen. Rand Paul Exposes Secret Service Failures. Assassination

Sen. Rand Paul Unveils Secret Service Shortcomings: A Security Breach Insight

A scathing Senate report from Rand Paul details how Secret Service failures…
Mother of slain soldier held by Hamas terrorists for 4K days makes plea to Trump

Plea to Trump by Mother of Soldier Held by Hamas for 4,000 Days

It has been 4,000 days since Hadar Goldin, a 23-year-old Israeli soldier…
Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass in parish church with special ties to his Augustinian order

Pope Leo XIV conducts Mass at a parish church linked to his Augustinian roots

Pope Leo XIV, speaking from Castel Gandolfo in Italy, urged for “merciful…
Gunman kills 2, wounds 2 at Lexington church after shooting Kentucky state trooper

Gunman Opens Fire at Lexington Church: 2 Killed, 2 Injured Following Shooting of Kentucky State Trooper

A suspect launched a shooting spree in Kentucky on Sunday, injuring a…
Aerial view of firefighters responding to an incident at a motel at night.

Massive Fire at Massachusetts Care Home Leaves Nine Dead and Many Injured as Residents Plead for Aid

NINE people have been killed and at least 30 more were injured…
Trump threatens Russia with tariffs if Ukraine war isn't resolved within 50 days

Trump Considers Imposing Tariffs on Russia to Expedite Resolution of Ukraine Conflict

The Republican president made the announcement during an Oval Office meeting with…
Michael Strahan, Kendra Scott join 'Shark Tank' season 17 as guest Sharks on ABC and Hulu 

Michael Strahan and Kendra Scott to Appear as Guest Sharks on ‘Shark Tank’ Season 17 on ABC and Hulu

Celebrity entrepreneurs join returning Sharks for another season of million-dollar deals and…
President Donald Trump speaking to reporters.

Trump reportedly upset over Ukraine situation, set to announce new weapons strategy today after expressing disappointment with Putin

Donald Trump has expressed his disappointment with Vladimir Putin for launching nighttime…
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian chairs a meeting.

Iran’s President Hurt in Israeli Missile Attack on Tehran Security Meeting Before Quick Evacuation

IRAN’S President was reportedly injured during an Israeli blitz during the 12-day…
Retired Army officer pleads guilty to sharing classified info on Russia-Ukraine war on dating site

Former Army Officer Admits to Sharing Classified Russia-Ukraine War Information on Dating Platform

A retired Army officer who was employed as a civilian with the…