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Last week, California Governor Jerrry Brown made history when he signed a bill into law that would require that the contrutions and accomplishments of LGBT people to be added to the state’s public school instruction and textbooks.
The law was the first of its kind for any state in the nation, but conservative groups have already begun the process of a voter referendum to overturn it.
Paulo Sibaja (pictured), acting on behalf of the socially conservative Capitol Resource Institute, filed documents on Friday proposing the referendum.
However, the organization would have to collect a minimum of 433, 971 signatures before a vote to reject or keep the law in place could be a reality.
Sibaja, who is the legislative director of the Capitol Resource Institute, announced that a coalition had formed behind the measure, but would not reveal the identities of the other members.
He added that a press conference would be held on July 20, to discuss funding the referendum.
“I think it will be a challenge for them to get the signatures,” said Sen. Mark Leno. The San Francisco Democrat originally introduced the bill and said he was not surprised by Sibaja’s actions as the Capitol Resource Institute has had a long history of opposing LGBT rights in California. Nevertheless, Leno is optimistic that the law will remain in place saying, “If they succeed in [getting the signatures], I bet Californians reject it.”
