California Governor Gavin Newsom is expected to sign a bill into law that would prevent public schools from enacting bans on LGBTQ+ and anti-racist books.
The California Senate voted 31-9 in favor of Assembly Bill 1078 last Thursday, meaning that it now heads to Gov. Newsom’s desk to be signed. Authored by Assemblymember Dr. Corey Jackson, the bill would prevent schools from banning books and other materials on the basis of race, sexuality, gender, or other characteristics. Schools that are found to violate the law would be disqualified from receiving financial aid from the state and from enrolling students who receive state student financial aid. The bill also compels California’s Department of Education to develop guidance for school districts on how to “manage conversations about race and gender.”
Assemblymember Jackson said in a press release that he was “thrilled to see AB 1078 progressing through the legislative process, with these vital amendments enhancing its impact.”
"We're taking a firm stand against book banning in California's schools, ensuring that our students have access to a broad range of educational materials that accurately represent the rich cultural and racial diversity of our society,” Jackson said.
In May, the California Assembly voted in favor of AB 1078, according to KTLA 5. That same month, Governor Gavin Newson threatened to fine the Temecula Valley Unified School District $1.5 million for refusing to approve curriculum that included Harvey Milk, who was the first out gay man to be elected to public office in California.
Although California is often seen as a bastion for LGBTQ+ people, several school districts in the state have recently implemented “forced outing” policies, wherein teachers must notify students’ parents if their child requests to be referred to with a different name, gender, and/or pronouns. The state’s Attorney General is suing to block these policies, which have thus far been enacted in a handful of school districts in more conservative areas of Southern California, arguing that the policy violates the California constitution.
In a press release about the passage of AB 1078, Newsom called California “the true freedom state: a place where families — not political fanatics — have the freedom to decide what’s right for them.”
“With the passage of this legislation that bans book bans and ensures all students have textbooks, our state’s Family Agenda is now even stronger,” Newsom added. “All students deserve the freedom to read and learn about the truth, the world, and themselves.”
The bill would make California the second state to enact a law that outlaws book bans. Illinois passed the first such law in June. But California still has several historic firsts of its own under its belt; last week, it became the first state in the nation to recognize August as Transgender History Month.
Get the best of what’s queer. Sign up for Them’s weekly newsletter here.