A new year brings new laws, one of which will make history lessons more inclusive.
The state of Illinois will expand its history curriculum and will start teaching about the contributions of LGBTQ people, WIFR reported.
The bill, which was signed in August, takes effect in June.
The legislation requires textbooks purchased with grant money to be non-discriminatory and “must include the roles and contributions of all people protected under the Illinois Human Rights Act,” WIFR reported.
The bill had been introduced by Rep. Anna Moellerin 2019 and was supported by Equality Illinois, which said the inclusive curriculum has a “positive effect on students’ self-image and make their peers more accepting," CNN reported.
Expected to be included in the curriculum: the Society for Human Rights, the first gay rights organization formed in Chicago in 1924 and Sally Ride, the first U.S. woman in space, who was also a lesbian, CNN reported.
Illinois is the latest to teach LGBTQ in a historical reference. California, New Jersey and Colorado have already introduced the inclusive curriculum, WIFR reported.
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