History is Gay

Okay guys, let’s talk  about everyone’s favorite subjects: politics, current events, and history! Before you roll your eyes and go back to the Saved by the Bell marathon on FX, give me just a few sentences to say why this is a ballin’ topic. Yes, it’s summer, and you’re not in school and don’t have to write a report on this. But if you give us a few moments of your time it will be:

  1. interesting (promise!)
  2. make you sound smart (you already are but it helps to have a few more facts in the arsenal in case you have a college essay to write or a teacher to impress)
  3. something that will affect you and the stuff you’ll have to study in upcoming years. Get a leg up now. Zach Morris pause! He’ll  wait patiently.

Gay history might be required to be taught in California schools. In April, bill SB-48 was passed and is now sitting patiently on Governor Brown’s desk, waiting to be signed. I am excited about this bill on many levels. Full disclosure: I was a history major and love the subject and think it’s one of the most fascinating topics known to man. I also know that when most people think of a history class, they think of this:

Who has ever had that happen to them in history class? I hope you say, “not me!”

History should be fun and dynamic and engaging. If your classroom experience isn’t like that, you have my sincere condolences. And a reminder that it’s not the subject, it’s the presentation, so don’t lose faith and interest in history due to just one lame class (that’s true of any subject!).  My interpretation of history is that it’s a great story, a story so good it’s been passed down for generations and taught in schools because it’s powerful and meaningful and important and will inspire, shape, and influence generations to come. History should apply to the people that it’s taught to. Back in the day, history classes tend to focus on what my favorite grumpy professor, Dr. Martinez, called “old, dead white guys.” I’ll add that they tend to focus on “old, dead, white, European, heterosexual, protestant guys”. Which do not make up the majority of the population in the world or in the US, even if you exclude the dead part. As a teenager I wanted to learn about people like me, and had to work hard to find that information. It should be accessible to everyone, and this bill would include some important moments in American history and inspire a lot of people to do a lot of good things. How great would it be to sit in a classroom and connect with what’s being taught? Gay history wouldn’t be just for gay kids. Just as “old dead white guy” history is not just for old dead white guys or Europeans, or that instruction on the Civil Rights movement is not just for Black students. Full disclosure again: I’m neither gay, Black, old, European, or male,  and I can say that the histories of all the people I was exposed to in school inspired me and shaped me as a good human being. The gay history class that I was fortunate enough to take in college was no different.

California is breaking serious ground here, and if this bill is passed, you might ask how will this affect you. Well, school curriculum is something that definitely applies to you. You’ll be learning this stuff, and so will your kids (someday). If you’re a queer kid, it might inspire you and give you a little courage for the future. If you’re a straight kid, it might inspire you and give you a little courage for the future. Learning about the Stonewall riots in San Francisco, or about Harvey Milk torching barriers, or the last 1,000 years of gay pioneers and everyday citizens is fascinating. I will never forget the day during my sophomore year of college, when a fellow student made a very rude and very disparaging comment about having to take a Women’s History class. My beloved Dr. Martinez rolled his eyes and said, “Women make up 50% of the population. Don’t you think they’ve been doing something for the last 20,000 years?”

In keeping with Dr. Martinez, people have been gay as long as they’ve been straight, so don’t you think they’ve been up to something for the last few thousand years, too? From the Ancient Greeks, to the Spartans and the Romans to the annoying prince in Braveheart.

From farmers to priests to kings to conquerors, there have been famous gay people all throughout history and they’ve done some big stuff. Do you want to learn about how Native Aztecs and Cherokee tribes dealt with homo/hetero/bi sexuality? Hint: it’s cool. Do you want to learn about that time Leonardo Da Vinci went to jail for having an affair with another guy? Twice? Sir Isaac Newton’s nervous breakdown when they separated him from his “roommate”? Who saw The 300?  Wanna hear how gay they were? This history is there, and gay history really is what we call ‘History’. We just don’t talk about it. If California passes this bill, a lot of interesting, true stories will come out of the closet and into your classrooms. All Governor Brown has to do is open the door!

Update:

On July 13th, 2011, Governor Brown signed the bill!! "History should be honest," said Governor Brown. "This bill revises existing laws that prohibit discrimination in education and ensures that the important contributions of Americans from all backgrounds and walks of life are included in our history books."