Possible Amendment to New York Constitution Swirls in Controversy

This November, an amendment to the New York State’s constitution will appear on your ballot and it is swirling in controversy.

Currently, the New York State Constitution prohibits discrimination based on race, color, creed, or religion. However, the Proposal 1 amendment, widely known as the Equal Rights proposal, seeks to extend this ban to cover over a dozen other forms of discrimination, including age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression -including in sports.

In a recent press conference organized by The Coalition to Protect Kids-NY, Inez Stepman, a Senior Policy Analyst at Independent Women’s Voice, drew attention to the implications of the Proposal 1 measure set to appear on the ballot in November. This proposal seeks to mandate that all New Yorkers be treated according to their “gender identity” and “gender expression,” potentially opening the door for men to self-identify into women’s spaces, including sports.

If Proposal 1 is passed, it will be permanently embedded in the New York constitution, granting males the constitutional right to participate in girls' sports teams. Those against the measure say that it could not only obliterate women's sports but also undermine women's rights to safety, privacy, and equal athletic opportunities crucial for competing and securing scholarships.

Stepman expressed deep concern over the deceptive nature of the ballot measure, emphasizing that it presents itself as a step towards equality while threatening to strip away women's rights by allowing men access to women’s sports competitions, locker rooms, and other single-sex spaces. The measure could also pave the way for New York schools to conceal gender ideology and minor transitions from parents, actions that Stepman highlighted as being at odds with the sentiments of many residents in New York.

In response to Proposal 1, Independent Women’s Voice and its affiliated organizations have been active in raising objections. Independent Women’s Forum and Independent Women’s Law Center previously filed an official comment to the New York State Board of Elections, calling for clear and precise language in the ballot.

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Supporters of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) in New York advocate for its passage saying that it aims to broaden protections against discrimination by the government. Supporters say that the proposition represents a vital step towards ensuring equal rights and safeguarding individuals from unjust treatment and limitations on reproductive autonomy.