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Democrats in the New York State Assembly are counting on inattentive or confused voters to pass an ill-conceived and poorly written amendment to the state constitution this coming November, according to the GOP.
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New York State Assembly Democrats drafted the amendment, called the Equal Rights Amendment, in hasty reaction to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision striking down national abortion in the Dobbs v. Jackson County Women’s Health Organization in June 2022.
Proposal 1 would rewrite the existing equal protection clause [Section 11 of Article 1] of the New York State Constitution to include ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, or sex — including sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, reproductive health, and autonomy.
Codifying Abortion?
Many, including the Catholic Bishops of New York State, oppose the proposed amendment. In a statement published on July 22, 2024, the Catholic Conference, which represents New York State bishops, wrote that the amendment “would enshrine the right to abortion in the state Constitution, as well as potentially restricting parents’ rights to make medical and other decisions for their minor children, including so-called ‘gender affirming’ procedures.”
Penalizing Women?
Debbie Jantzen, one of New York State’s IFA Prayer Leaders, agrees, saying the gender identity provision would result in safety issues for women and girls by opening women’s bathrooms and locker rooms to men who claim to be women. Further, the provision could economically penalize girls trying to secure college scholarships if males identify as female in order to join female sports teams.
Hear more from Jantzen on the Sept. 4 webcast of Pray the Vote Live.
Destroying Children?
Particularly dangerous is the inclusion of age in the category of those to be protected from discrimination. It could slam open the door — already ajar — to minors opting to pursue hormone or surgical procedures to change their sex without parental notification or consent. Further, though parents would remain legally and financially liable for their children’s choices, they would be helpless to stop any such life-altering procedure.
Funding Illegal Migrants?
Proposal 1 prohibits discrimination based on national origin, although such is already prohibited in New York State and federal Human Rights laws when applied to U.S. citizens. According to the New York State Republican Committee, Proposal 1 would provide a constitutional basis for New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s already substantial subsidies for illegal migrants. Further, if passed, Proposal 1 could further stress the shelter system in Right-to-Shelter New York City since migrants could claim discrimination if denied housing.
Clogging Courts?
Proposal 1, if passed, will certainly land in the already clogged court system as its implications and effects on the Civil Rights Law, the Human Rights Law, and numerous other laws already on the books are worked out.
According to Cam Macdonald of the Empire Center for Public Policy, Proposal 1 will have no effective impact on any civil rights in New York, including abortion rights, because these are governed by other statutes. But he writes, “Prop One does not enhance any rights but has potential to detract by throwing the law into chaos.”
When asked if Proposal 1 includes any religious exemptions to protect any religious organizations from being forced into actions contrary to their faiths, sponsor Rebecca Seawright said to the New York State Assembly, “So we’re not changing any of those laws [such as the Insurance Law or Domestic Relations Law that contain religious exemptions]; it would be a matter of litigation.”
This stance would throw the responsibility for defining nuancing, and balancing the conflicting civil liberties of various classes into the courts, rather than the legislature, where law is to originate constitutionally. Courts, Macdonald writes, will need to choose among protected classes or adopt constitutional tests that vary, thereby obviating the sponsors’ presumed aim of equal rights for all.
A Sneak Attack?
New York’s GOP fact sheet claims that though the amendment was finished in 2023, New York legislators are sneaking this onto the ballot in the midst of a hotly contested presidential race. The GOP implies that Democrats hope voters will overlook the amendment, which will appear on the back of the ballot, and either fail to vote or fail to research its implications amidst other electoral issues.
Curses Continuing on Many States?
At least eight states have ballot initiatives focusing on preserving abortion access. While the national curse associated with abortion was lifted with the Dobbs decision, key states are subjecting or attempting to subject themselves and their citizens to continuing curses related to this child sacrifice.
The Bible, which adjures all to revere life and protect the most vulnerable, also renders the Lord’s judgment over the land on which innocent blood is shed. Let us pray Proposal 1 in New York and the other ballot initiatives fail.
Lord, have mercy upon the children in the state of New York, Arizona, Colorado, Nebraska, Montana, Maryland, Missouri, South Dakota, and Nevada and any others considering codifying abortion. Rally Your people and enable Your pastor servants to overcome any reluctance and resistance to leading the sheep righteously in these matters. Overcome these evil initiatives by the Blood of Jesus and the direction of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ Name.
Is your state considering a similar ballot initiative? How are you praying?
New York City–based Joyce Swingle is an intercessor and a contributing writer for IFA. With her husband, Rich, also a contributing writer for IFA, Joyce shares the gospel of Jesus Christ around the world through theater, speaking, writing, and film. Prior to going into full-time ministry, Joyce worked for about 20 major magazines and now works in pastoral ministry and Christian counseling. www.Richdrama.com. Photo Credit: studioroman via Canva Pro.