Letter: Schools will teach same-sex marriage

Recently, the Yes on 8 Campaign began airing a TV advertisement showing a young girl discussing with her mother a book her teacher read in class about two princes who marry, highlighting an actual scenario that played out in Massachusetts following that state's legalization of gay marriage. The ad correctly asserts that "teaching children about gay marriage will happen here unless we pass Proposition 8." On Oct.8, 2008, a law firm representing the No on 8 Campaign sent a letter to TV stations throughout California demanding these stations refuse to run the ad.

The letter incorrectly asserts that legalization of same-sex marriage will not require public school teachers in California to teach children about same-sex marriage. The No on 8 Campaign apparently bases this assertion on the fact that school districts in California are not required to provide comprehensive sexual health education. Who has ever heard of a school district in California electing not to teach sex education?

California Education Code §§ 51890 and 51933 require that any school district that elects to offer comprehensive health or sex education in kindergarten and grades 1 to 12 must include instruction and materials that teach the "responsibilities of and respect for marriage." This teaching would obviously include same-sex marriage if such marriages continue to be legal in this state. A campaign that suggests otherwise is dishonest.

Make no mistake about it: unless we pass Proposition 8 our public schools will teach our children about same-sex marriage.

Courtney McAlister, Attorney
Yuba City