Effort to Kill Calif. LGBT Education Act Ramps Up

An effort to kill the California law that mandates the teaching of historical contributions by LGBT people moves closer to qualifying for the ballot as opponents now have until June to collect half a million signatures.

The Secretary of State's office announced Thursday it is allowing the effort against SB48, the Fair, Accurate, Inclusive, and Respectful Education Act, to advance. The antigay Traditional Values Coalition now has until June 25 to collect the 504,760 petition signatures needed to get the issue on the November ballot. There's at least one other right-wing effort to do away with SB48. The bill, passed after a rash of LGBT youth suicides, is seen as a way to ensure that students know the contributions of people like Harvey Milk and Ellen DeGeneres. Read more here.