Albany, NY (March 3, 2020) –David Kilmnick, President/CEO of the LGBT Network along with New York State Senator Brad Hoylman and New York State Assembly will hold a press conference on Tuesday March 3rd at 12:30pm to call for the immediate passage of a bill A4744/S1478 that would require all New York State schools to teach about LGBT history. LGBT Network will also be launching its new statewide initiative called “Teach LGBT NY” that will organize thousands to advocate for the passage of the legislation while forming a statewide committee of educators that will develop LGBT history curricula.
“An inclusive curriculum will not only teach an accurate version of history but also promote support and admiration of the LGBTQ community. Teaching students about the valuable contribution’s LGBTQ individuals have made throughout history will create safer environments with fewer incidents of bullying and harassment. LGBT Network’s Teach LGBT NY will ensure that LGBTQ people are no longer invisible in our textbooks. When this bill passes and all New York students are learning about LGBTQ history, our young people will also be able to gain new role models who share life experiences with them and it will save lives” said LGBT Network President/CEO David Kilmnick.
“New York City is the site of America’s first national monument devoted to LGBTQ history: the Stonewall National Monument which is in my Manhattan district. Yet according to a recent survey, only 19.8% of LGBTQ students reported learning positive representations about LGBTQ people, history or events in the classroom. LGBTQ history is part of the fabric of American history, which is why I am proud to sponsor legislation with Assembly Member Seawright to include LGBTQ history in our school curriculum,” said Senator Hoylman.
“It is important for our students in New York to receive the most comprehensive education possible, that is why I am proud to be the sponsor of Assembly Bill A.4744. The statistic that less than 20% of LGBTQ students have been taught positive representation about LGBTQ people and history is unacceptable. It is vitally important to teach about the LGBTQ community and history to promote tolerance and acceptance. With this legislation students will see the contributions of LGBTQ individuals to society and American History giving LGBTQ students the understanding that they equally belong in our schools,” said Assembly Member Seawright.
A4744/S1478, also known as the ‘Teach LGBT NY Bill’ would require the NYS Education Department to develop educational curriculum or instruction on the historical treatment of, and contributions by, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, including the LGBTQ civil rights movement and accomplishments. You can find more information about Teach LGBT NY by visiting http://www.teachlgbtny.org
See full press conference video here:
https://www.facebook.com/LGBTNetwork/videos/198665521445990/?vh=e&d=n