The next generations of Californians will no longer have to look solely to television or films for glimpses of LGBT human beings. On Wednesday, California Governor Jerry Brown signed into law a bill that requires all schools in the state to teach students about the contributions of LGBT people throughout history. The move makes California the first state in America to ensure that children will learn that gay people exist and have played a significant role in shaping the world in which they live. This is great validation from a state that already requires schools to highlight the contributions of women, African-Americans, and Mexican-Americans, among others, in school curricula.

The bill, known as the FAIR (Fair, Accurate, Inclusive and Respectful) Education Act, also bans “discriminatory” teaching material.

Speaking of history, Harvey Milk would be so proud. Check out the touching 2008 video, below, of the commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the assassinations of Harvey and George Moscone, which features the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus, the San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band, the Lesbian/Gay Chorus of San Francisco, and the GLAM Youth Choir, as well as speeches from various individuals including Supervisor Tom Ammiano, Jon Moscone (son of George Moscone), Willie Brown, Stuart Milk (nephew of Harvey Milk), Carol Ruth Silver, and Harry Britt.


Lest we forget.