In a major victory for reproductive rights and LGBTQ rights, New Yorkers have voted to pass Proposition 1, the Equal Rights Amendment, in the 2024 election. This amendment not only safeguards abortion rights by embedding them into the New York State Constitution, but it also protects individuals from discrimination based on gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, disability, and more.
The amendment reads, “No person shall be denied the equal protection of the laws of this state… No person shall… because of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, creed, religion, or sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, and reproductive healthcare and autonomy, be subjected to any discrimination in their civil rights.”
Governor Kathy Hochul celebrated the victory, declaring that “abortion is health care” in a Facebook post.
The New York State GOP campaigned against Prop 1, claiming it undermined parental rights and was unnecessary. Despite this, New Yorkers came together to send a strong message: equal rights and protections aren’t up for debate. This amendment joins similar ones in progressive states like Connecticut and Massachusetts, while others still lag behind in guaranteeing fundamental protections.
Prop 1 ensures that New Yorkers, especially those in the queer community, will have the protections they need, and it affirms that our our bodies and lives are our own. GO NY!
