[LI] California isn’t just at war with Donald Trump. It is conducting a culture war against several red states in the form of Assembly Bill 1887.
The measure prohibits state-funded and state-sponsored travel to Alabama and several other red states Thursday due to laws that could discriminate against the LGBTQ community (e.g., prohibiting adoptions).
Now, a group of California’s real "best and brightest" are collateral damage in the Golden State culture war.
The Citrus College Rocket Owls were one of 60 school teams invited to Huntsville to compete in NASA Student Launch Program in April. Groups from 23 states are competing in the 18th annual event in which teams design, build, test and fly a high-altitude reusable rocket.
Despite their invite, Citrus College, a community college located outside Los Angeles, won’t be attending. Last year, California announced it was banning publicly funded travel to Alabama and seven other states due to laws that could discriminate against the LGBTQ community. In Alabama’s case, it was a law that allows adoption agencies to follow faith-based policies, which includes not placing children with same-sex couples.
Homer Hickam, the famous Huntsville author and rocket scientist, whose October Sky is an inspiration to many young students, challenges the assertion that this is a state funded trip. Additionally, reports indicate college administrators are re-interpreting the rules to prevent the team from heading to Alabama.
Going out on a limb here, but I doubt anyone in Alabama gives a hoot if the Rocket Owls show up or not. |