Schwarzenegger Signs Bill Banning Words "Mom," "Dad," "Husband," and "Wife" In Schools For Insensitivity To Gays?

Not sure if the analysis here, offered mostly by family-values type lobbyists, is correct. The theory is that by signing the law prohibiting any sort of discrimination as regards sexuality, the law effectively bans the concept of mom and dad, husband and wife, as being discriminatory words, at least if not used with reference to same-sex parents.

Is that true? I sort of think that will end up being the result -- the claims from the academics and corner-case sexuality mavens is that any such language is "heteronormative" and thus implicitly discriminating. And of course people with degrees in education like to pretend they're actually part of the academic community, so they will slavishly follow these sorts of diktats.

A lot of the rhetoric in this article is overwrought, but I think they'll wind up being right about the legal effect.

"Mom and Dad" as well as "husband and wife" effectively have been banned from California schools under a bill signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who with his signature also ordered public schools to allow boys to use girls restrooms and locker rooms, and vice versa, if they choose.

"We are shocked and appalled that the governor has blatantly attacked traditional family values in California," said Karen England, executive director of Capitol Resource Institute.

"With this decision, Gov. Schwarzenegger has told parents that their values are irrelevant. Many parents will have no choice but to pull their children out of the public schools that have now become sexualized indoctrination centers."

...

Analysts have warned that schools across the nation will be impacted by the decision, since textbook publishers must cater to their largest purchaser, which often is California, and they will be unlikely to go to the expense of having a separate edition for other states.

The bills signed by Schwarzenegger include SB777, which bans anything in public schools that could be interpreted as negative toward homosexuality, bisexuality and other alternative lifestyle choices.

...

England told WND that the law is not a list of banned words, including "mom" and "dad." But she said the requirement is that the law bans discriminatory bias.

"Having 'mom' and 'dad' promotes a dicsriminatory bias. You have to either get rid of 'mom' and 'dad' or include everything when talking about [parental issues]," she said. "They [promoters of sexual alternative lifestyles] do consider that discriminatory."

...

Thomasson said SB777 prohibits any "instruction" or school-sponsored "activity" that "promotes a discriminatory bias" against "gender" – the bill's definition includes cross-dressing and sex changes – as well as "sexual orientation."

"Because no textbook or instruction in California public schools currently disparages transsexuality, bisexuality, or homosexuality, the practical effect of SB777 will be to require positive portrayals of these sexual lifestyles at every government-operated school," CCF noted.

The laser-like focus on children, and Orwellian language, is pretty creepy.

I'm reminded of this scene from Life of Brian.

This is all symbolic of the Lorettas of the world and their struggle against simple biological reality. Straight or gay, raised by one parent or two, living with one's biological parents or not -- I've got news for Loretta. You've got a mom, and you've got a father, at least a biological one.

Maybe we can outlaw reality next as inconvenient and often hurtful.

Thanks to Roland.

posted by Ace at 02:25 PM

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