Stephen Colbert Takes On Gay History Education In California (VIDEO)

California is on the verge of being the first state to require that gay, lesbian and transgendered contributions to society be taught in schools. Of course there are some people who do not agree with this, and on Thursday night's "Colbert Report" Stephen Colbert made light of those naysayers in pitch perfect parody.

Pointing out that highlighting LGBT accomplishments teaches children the "dangerous lesson that gay people exist," Colbert's fake outrage mimics what some pundits are actually saying. One Fox News commentator suggested that someday kids will be saying that "George Washington was a homosexual."

"How dare California say that a man wearing a powdered wig and silk stockings is gay," Colbert said. "Next thing you know they'll have him crossing the Delaware on a Pride float."

Watch the clip below to hear Colbert offer his own very condensed version of gay history. According to him it started in ancient Greece and didn't emerge again until the the 1970s when Paul Lynde was given the center square.

WATCH:

International users click here to watch on "The Colbert Report" website

Comments

[whodo1952]

02:11 PM on 09/04/2011

What are we supposed to glean from the strictly idiotic, for entertainment only shows of the likes of Jon Stewart and Colbert, when they strike so close to political issues and tout themselves to be informed mouth pieces for their favored issues?
Their snarky quick quips and nasty spins seem to serve as a disservice to the particular viewing audience which relate to their sometimes tasteless, tacky,"humor".
What type and kind of comic relief do they offer?
I can't put my finger on their comedic agenda. Satire? Ironic? Slapstick? What?

[Boogerwolf]

01:35 PM on 07/25/2011

I say if we are going to teach people about other people, its best to leave out adjectives used to describe race and sexuality. Its quite annoying as it is and in most cases its unnecessary information. Its kind of like having a conversation with someone who always voluntarily tell you whether someone that they are talking about was white or black. Example: "This waitress came to my table today (she was mexican) and gave me the wrong food". Its just unecessary to even include. As far as history goes, just tell me where they are from, show me a picture and I can figure the rest out myself.

[sf1000000]

10:17 PM on 08/04/2011

You got issues with teach someone Oh by the way Oscar Wilde was gay? Or that Richard the Lion hearted had a think for Phillip of France? Why because Richard only slaughter men not love one? I guess you would dismiss that our constitution and laws are founded on Greek and Roman law..and OPPPS some of these guys where GAY TOO...so shall edit out the parts that the GAYS WROTE and leave in the other or just tear is up and start over? The next time you hear The Nutcracker at the holiday time, sorry Peter T was gay, or hey don't like your kids learn any music by Stephen C Foster sorry gay so Jeannie with the Light Brown and all the rest of those songs OUT. Oh and forget visting Broadway if you get to NYC...Gay..or how about if you need a cop or MD...better ask 1st..they might be gay. never know you might catch IT.

[srooge]

04:06 PM on 07/24/2011

Can't they all go back to where they came from Easter Island

[Intelligenti Pauca]

06:06 PM on 07/24/2011

Sorry, sparky. They're here to stay. You'll get over it. Or you won't. Either way it sounds like a personal problem. Yours.

[srooge]

06:23 PM on 07/24/2011

ha,ha

got you

[blackreign]

03:53 PM on 07/24/2011

I watched this episode and, as usual, Colbert was funny. Of course, his show is not meant to speak intellectually or objectively about the issues.

I think California is dead wrong making such a decision without clear support from the parents that send their kids to public school. But California is of the idealogy that any change is great. California is bankrupt financially and morally.

As time goes by, looks like I'll be supporting the Republican push for the privatization of schools. At least then, parents can have control over their kid's cirriculum. I would rather pay for private school than send my kids to a public schools that are short on education but high on immoral indoctrination.

[Intelligenti Pauca]

06:09 PM on 07/24/2011

"I would rather pay for private school than send my kids to a public schools that are short on education but high on immoral indoctrina­tion."

Immoral indoctrination?

I see. So you'd rather your kids are the recipient of "moral indoctrination" that tries to pretend homosexuals don't exist.

Thanks for the clarification, sparky.

[intellifran]

12:39 PM on 07/25/2011

The current curriculum doesn't try to ignore them. It realizes that the accomplishments are important and their private lives are not. I disagree as well.

[Atwill]

08:36 AM on 07/24/2011

Very funny.

[Artanis71]

06:15 AM on 07/24/2011

I want that poster!

[SwimToCenter]

05:29 PM on 07/23/2011

Unlike other minorities (such as race or religion), GLBT are an "invisible" minority to their own family and society who demonize and belittle them. At least the Black kid or the Jewish kid can come home to communities that support them and offer them an education of their place in history and their struggles.

The education GLBT youth get is derision, stereotypes, name calling, promises of "eternal damnation," and physical attacks. GLBT youth need a lifeline such as gay history to let them know they are not alone and that they can contribute to society meaningfully.

[intellifran]

12:49 PM on 07/25/2011

They do not need a lifeline. People who are "different" will always have struggles. That is the way society is. Large accomplishments such as marriage, the repeal of DOMA etc. are worthy of history, the s3xu@al orientation of a writer or explorer is irrevlevant.

[Beachside Cali]

01:49 PM on 07/23/2011

We have grown up as a society check out this video of the ignorance in the 50's.
http://youtu.be/ijbovskICjk

[oftenon]

12:56 PM on 07/23/2011

Seems a gay curriculum would bump up against outing historically closeted homosexuals.

[JeffJeckyll]

01:43 PM on 07/23/2011

very well played sir.

[xstevejx]

12:22 AM on 07/24/2011

Oh no! How embarrassed all those mostly dead people would be! :-)

[maori]

12:47 PM on 07/23/2011

This is great in some ways, not so great in others.

For the GLBT community to really be respectfully included, we need to move on to where no one's sexuality, or religion is an issue.

No one should have to mention what they do in bed, or with whom, or what they say when they pray. These things are no one's business.

If someone wants cameras in their bedroom, that's personal, but I don't.
And unless you're someone I plan to have sex with, my sex life is none of your business.

[KrazyJay]

11:43 PM on 07/23/2011

You have a point, but as a member of the LGBT community, let me add that sexuality isn't my problem - it's a problem for the "haters." I would love to be at a point where it's no one's business, but that can't happen until it's something that no one cares about - and unfortunately, the ones that don't care are the ones that aren't a problem in the lives of us who are LGBT.

I think in the next 50 years - comparing this to religion - it will be what religious tolerance is now. In my grandparents day, catholics and jews were discriminated against openly, and even among Protestants, you didn't dare marry outside of your denomination. Nowadays, no one will ask, and no one cares ... even if you're getting married. I dream for that day for us ... but it's not here yet.

[intellifran]

12:44 PM on 07/25/2011

Well you're making it a problem by insisting that it's important. Don't you think you are further segregating yourself from people? Why would you want to do that? It makes no sense to me. Large issues such as DOMA ending, g@ys in the military, etc. should be added but whether or not a person was g@y (in general) should not be important.

[sf1000000]

10:27 PM on 08/04/2011

when someone tells me that they are gay I don't right away think of sex...or if they are str8 my mind does not right away jump to their bedroom..why is it you mention someone is gay and RIGHT away you think of the act of sex..?

[Reed Klinehoffer]

11:13 AM on 07/23/2011

Is it just me or do you feel like the people that argue against teaching Gay History in schools are the same people that campaign for Creationism to be taught beside/instead of Evolution? I always wondered how they do that with a straight face.

[Atwill]

08:38 AM on 07/24/2011

You are correct. They do not want anythig to do with science. They would rather kids learn the magic of God.

[sf1000000]

10:31 PM on 08/04/2011

Oh teaching creationism next to evolution is easy you just skip over the parts that are on conflict with realty...and smile.. I once hear a Mother trying to explain how the TREX came before Jesus..I must admit the kid was not buying it...Kids are smart..tell them the TRUTH. If you want their respect..

[sve]

11:11 AM on 07/23/2011

Beware spread of the Gay!

[vandegrasse]

10:57 AM on 07/23/2011

There has been too much specialized learning in education already. Time for a more general approach. The education is tearing itself apart dividing up learning into so many special interest categories. There are just so many resources in our educational system. Let's use them wisely. It's this kind of pandering to special interest groups than has given the right wing its strength.

[vandegrasse]

10:54 AM on 07/23/2011

Disney English Schools scare me way more than teaching alternate lifestyles.

[quixoto]

02:25 PM on 07/23/2011

That's because you having a working brain, Alex
Just try to lay off the ole ultra violence...

[sf1000000]

10:34 PM on 08/04/2011

actually sending the people from Jersy shore to the disney school might...be an improvement in how the speak now.

[artbot]

10:39 AM on 07/23/2011

if you are the first person to do "anything" ...that is history. but if you are the first minority person to do the same previously accomplished thing, that is not teachable history. are we to believe in other countries the teach... "the first white male ..." this country suffers from social tunnel vision. in the end of the day whether political, scientific, or creative, we don't care what color, what religion, what gender, or what you stick in your mouth behind closed doors.

[AC Guts]

01:46 PM on 07/23/2011

90% of our history education curriculum in this country is the "first white male" to do x. that is the problem.

[artbot]

05:11 PM on 07/23/2011

it's just first human. i get the point, but i think it is counter intuitive to get rid of racial and gender and preference divides by creating even stricter, legally binding divides. there was a time with anglo saxons were amongst the most barbaric unchallenged cultures on the earth. we don't then go back and say "first anglo saxon.... for mathematics" etc.