A Christian Response to SB 48 - Biola University

includes sinners like you and me. He loved the person and abhorred the sin. In many instances,
those who claim to be followers of Christ have used harsh, and even violent, words and actions
against gay, lesbians, and transgender individuals, rather than embracing the individual as a
contributing member of the community. As someone who claims to be a follower of Christ, we
are mandated to love. LGBT individuals are members of our community that we want to bring to
Christ, not alienate by hatred. Loving our neighbor translates to embracing all students, parents,
and colleagues as full members of our school communities. We can love individuals while not
condoning their lifestyles. SB 48 is, in part, a cry against cruelty and hatred and a cry for
acceptance and acknowledgment of accomplishments of this group of American citizens. Ask
yourself these questions:
1. Do I love my neighbor?
2. Do I work to build relationships with my neighbor?
3. Do I embrace all members of my community?
4. Will I allow the Holy Spirit to fill me with His love, regardless of the circumstances?
LGBT Lifestyles and Concomitant Concerns
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) lifestyles have documented evidence of
potential health concerns, such as HIV, STDs, and cancer that can lead to premature death of
otherwise healthy, gifted individuals (Allison, 2011). To promote a lifestyle with such potentially
negative consequences, even without explicit moral or ethical or biblical concerns (the true
litmus test), contradicts the end goals of public health education and is detrimental to our K-12
student population.
Social and emotional alienation can also occur in non-traditional family structures headed by
LGBT individuals or in LGBT students prone to depression and anxiety (Allison, 2011). Here is
where you can definitely intervene to help right the situation.
Ask yourself these questions:
1. If I see an LGBT youth or parent mistreated, do I step in to right the situation?
2. Am I just as sensitive to the social and emotional needs of the child from a LGBT
household or orientation as I am to my other students?
3. Do I love my LBGT parents and students?
4. Do I support healthy lifestyles? Am I reporting the facts correctly and without bias?
Your Response to SB 48
While SB 48 may be a response to repeated abuses of those who choose alternative lifestyles,
you, the public school classroom teacher, need to decide how to take action. Inaction is action.
Inaction has led to the bill slipping through the Assembly and Senate and being signed by the
Governor. Authored by Senator Mark Leno of San Francisco, SB 48 was introduced December
13, 2010 and signed by our California Governor Jerry Brown on July 14, 201l. In the intervening
stages, SB 48 was passed by the Senate Education Committee in March 2011 (6-3 vote), passed
by the Senate Judiciary Committee in April 2011 (3-2 vote), passed by the California Senate in
April 2011 (23-14 vote), passed by the Assembly Committee on Education in June 2011 (6-2
vote), and passed by the full Assembly in July 2011 (49-25 vote) (California State Senate, 2011;