New York must step up to this challenge by updating the constitution to reflect that discrimination has no place in our state.Īs the ERA moves through the state legislature and comes before New Yorkers for a final vote, we’ll all have a role to play - the first step is making sure you and your community are aware and informed.Although this year marks the 50th anniversary of the United States Congress approving the Equal Rights Amendment, which would declare for women the same rights as men under the Constitution, the amendment is still not published into law. The decision to overturn Roe made it clear that the Supreme Court is willing to target our most critical, fundamental civil rights, including LGBTQ rights, the right to contraception, and more. The ERA rightfully covers pregnancy outcomes to help protect people from punishment and prosecution. Increasingly across the country and in New York, women face criminal and civil consequences for their pregnancy outcomes, including miscarriage and stillbirth. It is critical that New York protect pregnancy and all pregnancy outcomes too. And, as an abortion access state, New York must move to protect New Yorkers, as well as the thousands of people who will travel here for care.īut again, this isn’t just about abortion access. It is critical that New York’s foundational legal document protects rights that are under attack from the Supreme Court and many state governments. Why is it important to have an ERA in New York? Our New York State Constitution currently fails to clearly prohibit discrimination against groups that have been historically targeted, including those with disabilities, LGBTQ+ individuals, immigrants, women, and pregnant people. Aren’t these protections already covered in our constitution? If voters approve it, the ERA gets added to our constitution and millions of New Yorkers gain new protections against discrimination. Then, New Yorkers will have the opportunity to vote on the Amendment in 2024. The state legislature must pass the ERA again in the next legislative session – legislative sessions last two years and the next session begins in January of 2023. How do we add the ERA to the state constitution? It would also protect against any government actions that would curtail a person’s reproductive autonomy or their access to reproductive health care. The ERA would prohibit discrimination by the government based on a person’s ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, and sex - including their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes. What would the ERA do?Ĭurrently, our state constitution only protects against racial and religious discrimination. Here’s what you need to know about the ERA and what comes next. The legislature’s action sets in motion a process that – if successful – will enshrine the equal rights amendment in our state constitution. It’s a victory for LGBTQ, immigrant, and disability rights and for everyone who truly believes in equality. Importantly, the passage of this legislation isn’t just a win for gender justice and reproductive rights. Wade, threatening abortion as a right and paving the way to unravel other fundamental protections. The legislature passed the bill shortly after the U.S. The state legislature took the first step in passing an Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) last month that would safeguard the rights of millions of New Yorkers.
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