To: Governor Gavin Newsom

Tell Jerry Brown to sign the bill requiring public schools to teach the historical contributions ...

Gay Americans should be recognized for their contributions as much as anyone else. Give gay youth someone to look up to.

Why is this important?

The bill gained final passage from the state Assembly on a vote of 49-25, without a single Republican supporting it. The measure cleared the state Senate in April.

California already requires public schools to teach the contributions made to society by women and by racial and ethnic groups that were historically discriminated against, such as blacks, Latinos and Native Americans.

Supporters of the latest bill said it would simply include gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender individuals in that existing requirement, making it part of the curriculum in history and other social studies classes.