LGBTQ History Will Soon Be Taught In Illinois Schools

WQAD reports that Illinois governor J.B. Pritzker has signed House Bill 246 into law as of Friday, meaning LGBTQ history will soon be taught in Illinois public schools.

Rep. Anna Moeller originally introduced the bill to help ensure more inclusive history in schools.

“In public schools only, the teaching of history shall include a study of the roles and contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in the history of this country and this State,” the bill states.

The new curriculum will include topics such as the formation of the Society for Human Rights in 1924 and the story of the first woman in space, Sally Ride, who was a lesbian.

Additionally, textbooks must include everyone protected under the Illinois Human Rights Act and must be non-discriminatory.

The bill was sponsored by Equality Illinois and sponsored by State Senator Heather Steans.

The bill will go into effect as of July 2020.