All public schools in Washington state will teach LGBTQ+ history to students as a regular subject in accordance with the related law (SB-5462), which Governor Jay Inslee signed into effect on the 18th. Public schools already teach historical perspectives on marginalized groups, such as Native American tribes and blacks under slavery, but this is the first time that this education explicitly includes sexual minorities.
SB-5462, a bill passed by the state Legislature this year, requires all school districts to adopt “diverse, equitable, inclusive and age-appropriate” curriculum to teach the history and perspectives of underrepresented groups. Senator Marco Rias (D-Edmonds), who introduced the bill, pointed out that homosexuals also deserve to be recognized for their contributions and that homosexual students have the right to be proud in school life, and that under this law, the attendance rate and grades of sexual minority students will be reduced.
He emphasized that this would improve, and the overall quality of life will also improve.
Washington State becomes the 7th state in the country to teach LGBT-related subjects in public schools, following six states including California, Colorado, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, and Oregon. As this law goes into effect, the Washington State Association of Public-School Districts, with the cooperation of the State Superintendent of Education’s Office, will complete preparatory work such as drafting an education policy for sexual minority subjects, setting curriculum for each grade, and adopting related textbooks by June next year, and then 10 It must be reflected in existing policies before March.
SB-5462 was passed in both the Senate and House of Representatives with all Republican lawmakers opposing it. Republican and conservative groups argued that each school district and parents have the authority to decide what to teach their students, and that this bill infringes on their rights.