Proposition 1, which received roughly 57 percent of approval, is also known as the "Equal Rights Amendment" (ERA). This amendment seeks to enshrine abortion rights by ensuring that "no person shall be denied the equal protection of the laws of this state." The amendment explicitly protects categories such as "sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes and reproductive healthcare and autonomy" under the "equal protection" clause of the state.
The inclusion of "national origin" in the language of the amendment could open the door to non-citizens, including undocumented immigrants. Meaning, this amendment also allows non-citizens to receive legal rights equivalent to those of U.S. citizens, which could theoretically extend to voting rights. Additionally, Proposition 1 mandates extreme "trans rights" in New York, legalizes rank discrimination and gives up parental rights over medical decisions for minors. (Related: Constitutional lawyer: New York pro-abortion ballot measure would also establish voting rights of non-citizens.)
"New York's Constitution bans discrimination based on race, color, creed or religion; Prop 1 would add new protected categories: ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes and reproductive health care," the New York Post reported in October.
"Meanwhile, the scrum of other protections adds up to, among other things, stripping parents of their rights over allowing minors to go on puberty blockers and undergo transgender surgery. Worse, the measure also legalizes reverse discrimination to 'prevent or dismantle' the banned forms of discrimination.
The amendment will not only reinforce the 2019 legislation signed by then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo, which allows abortion through all nine months of pregnancy, but it will also serve as a protection for LGBTQ+ individuals, immigrants and individuals with disabilities.
New Yorkers ignore warnings of pro-lifers
Feminist organizations, religious groups and conservative activists have warned that it may have far-reaching consequences for the safety, privacy and parental rights of New Yorkers even before its passage.
The Women's Liberation Front (WoLF), a feminist group known for its anti-abortion stance, voiced strong opposition to the amendment. "The ERA puts women's rights in danger by eroding the ability to have single-sex spaces and services," said a representative from WoLF. Additionally, the group raised concerns that the proposal would allow "gender-confused men" into women-only facilities such as locker rooms, bathrooms and shelters.
In its analysis, WoLF called the amendment "an incoherent mix of hot-button, undefined phrases" that could jeopardize "women’s civil rights."
The Archdiocese of New York and other conservative advocacy groups, who argue the amendment could strip parental control over critical health decisions affecting minors, also joined WoLF. It warned that "children could be allowed to make life-altering decisions – such as 'gender reassignment' surgery – without parental consent or knowledge." It further argued that restrictions on the sexual activity of minors and bans on assisted suicide could be jeopardized.
Independent Women's Law Center echoed similar concerns. It said the amendment could "deprive women of their privacy and safety and strip parental rights from New York families."
But despite all these warnings, voters from New York still voted in favor of Proposition 1.
Visit Abortions.news for more stories like this.
Watch Liberty Counsel founder Mat Staver explaining the now-defeated Amendment Four that would have enshrined abortion rights in Florida.
This video is from the SecureLife channel on Brighteon.com.
More related stories:
Nebraska Supreme Court greenlights hearing of a pro-abortion ballot initiative.
Florida ballot measures to legalize recreational weed and expand "abortion rights" FAIL.
Six Nebraska female athletes support abortion ban in new pro-life ads.
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