As you head to the polls. we encourage you to think twice before voting on Prop 1.  

At first glance, it makes sense that we would all want to protect marginalized groups and our abortion rights. However, if voting yes means taking away women’s sex-based rights, then that is something all women should be concerned about.  

The Equal Rights Amendment has been altered to replace the word ‘sex’ with “sex and gender identity” which was not the original meaning and intention of the ERA when it was written. This means that men and boys will be included in the category of women and girls in the NY State Constitution, destroying the category of sex, and with it, the sex-based rights of women and girls.

Domestic abuse shelters and women’s prisons would have to accept men who claim they are women, plus women-only groups, like WeSpoke, would have to include men who identify as a woman, otherwise it will be unconstitutional.

This is a deceptive ballot initiative and if S108A is passed, will erode our rights as a woman and our daughter’s rights. Don’t be fooled by seeing big endorsements from political parties, Bar Associations, NOW or the League of Women Voters (LWV.)  We brought our concerns months ago to the presidents of NYS LWV and NY CEDAW and they both said they “hadn’t realized that type of impact of the ERA” – and then did nothing to stop it moving forward.

We have posted some links below so you can do your own research and make the best decision for you, and your daughters future.