Sen. Sheila Kuehl

Gay rights groups are celebrating the failure of a signature drive by ultra-conservatives to overturn civil rights protections for California students.

State Sen. Sheila Kuehl (D) - from Santa Monica - is responding to the misleading information being spread about Senate Bill 777.

SB 777 requires the California Department of Education to monitor the way schools adhere to the state's anti-bias laws and specifically mandates the department to ensure the protection of LGBT students.

Right-wing press and leaders of conservative groups say the legislation orders public schools to allow boys and girls to use the same restrooms and locker-rooms.

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed legislation that will require the Department of Education to monitor the way schools adhere to the state's anti-bias laws and specifically mandates the department to ensure the protection of LGBT students.

The Student Civil Rights Act (Senate Bill 777) is making ripples with social conservatives - who fear that progress will ruin their families.