“Each individual teacher, if they want to incorporate this into their lesson plan, they have every right to do so,” said Greg Krikorian, vice president of the Glendale Unified School District Board of Education. “There are opportunities for parents to opt out . . . but at the present time, we’re not at that bridge yet.”
Milk led a successful campaign to defeat a proposition that would have required firing teachers and public employees for sexual preference. Milk and San Francisco Mayor George Moscone were assassinated in 1978, the former after 10 months in office.
Advocates of the commemoration said they strongly hope teachers and school boards will draw lessons from Milk’s legacy to enrich elementary and high school tolerance and diversity lessons.
“Right now, schools have absolutely no history that is taught of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people,” said Geoff Kors, executive director of Equality California, which supported the bill. “Making a community invisible isn’t good for any students, especially LGBT students.”
District officials praised the bill’s intent, but said tolerance is promoted through existing programs. Burbank Unified employs an anti-bullying program that underscores dignity in human interaction.
“There are lessons on it, teachers go over rules, and information posted in classrooms,” Burbank Board of Education President Dave Kemp said. “It’s a really solid program, and the teachers take it very seriously.”
