The Illinois House Wednesday approved a plan that would require k-12 history textbooks to include LGBTQ figures.
Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz, a Glenview Democrat and supporter of the bill, says if it had been law 15 years ago, her brother would not have been denied tenure in a suburban Chicago public school for his decision to talk about sexuality with his students.
“He was subjected to hate mail and called into the principal's office to explain why he answered a student's question honestly. My brother was teaching history and a student asked whether the historical figure there was the subject of the lesson was gay. He answered with the truth,” she said.
Supporters say they hope the measure is a way to improve the lives of LGBTQ students by cutting down on bullying.
State Representative, Tom Morrison, a Republican from Palatine, opposes the idea.
“Here's what parents in my district said, ‘How or why is a historical figures’ sexuality or gender self -identification even relevant? Especially. when we're talking about kindergarten and elementary school history.'”
The measure passed with only a vote to spare. it now goes to the Senate for consideration.
