Vote NO on Proposal 1

 

There is more at stake in the upcoming November election than who is at the top of the ballot. Although the presidential election is very important, there is another item being proposed that will more directly impact those of us living in New York State. This item is Proposal One or the Equal Rights Amendment. This proposal would amend the language of Article 1, Section 11 of the New York State Constitution. The amendment reads as follows (new language in bold and bracketed [ ] language to be removed):

§ 11. a. No person shall be denied the equal protection of the laws of this state or any subdivision thereof. No person shall, because of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, creed [or], religion, or sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, and reproductive healthcare and autonomy, be subjected to any discrimination in [his or her] their civil rights by any other person or by any firm, corporation, or institution, or by the state or any agency or subdivision of the state, pursuant to law.

b. Nothing in this section shall invalidate or prevent the adoption of any law, regulation, program, or practice that is designed to prevent or dismantle discrimination on the basis of a characteristic listed in this section, nor shall any characteristic listed in this section be interpreted to interfere with, limit, or deny the civil rights of any person based upon any other characteristic identified in this section.[1]

This proposal is problematic for many reasons:

1. There are already adequate protection laws within the NYS Constitution. Sadly, New York State leaders are proposing additional language for new categorical protections while already refusing equal protection to every person. Unborn babies are not afforded equal protection under the law, but are instead being massacred. There is no need for additional protected “classes”, there is a need for the law to be properly applied towards all people. That includes the unborn.
2. The language is in opposition to God’s Word. “Sexual orientation, “gender identity”, and “gender expression” are not according to God's good design, and should not be protected by law. These should instead be crimes, and in their most severe expressions, capital crimes. This amendment would enshrine into law protections for sins against God. Not only is this inviting God’s judgment, it is also undermining the very fabric of reality. As our nation is further “turned over” to a reprobate mind, this will inevitably lead to further chaos and destruction (Romans 1:28).
3. The language is intentionally vague. How exactly is “sexual orientation” defined? Does it include pedophilia? Bestiality? A long established problem with this section of the NYS Constitution is the term “discrimination”. What qualifies as discriminatory behavior? That is left up to the whims of our civil authorities to determine. Is a protected “gender expression” allowing biological males to use female bathrooms and locker rooms, and participate in female sports? Is post-birth abortion considered “reproductive autonomy”? The language will be weaponized to forward demonic policies.
4. It would undermine parental authority. New York State has long been encroaching on parental rights this amendment would transfer more authority out of the hands of parents and into the hands of the state. NYS already allows minors unfettered access to abortion without parental consent and public schools aid with this process.[2] This language would further protect those actions and also allow minors to pursue gender transitions without parental consent. If parents oppose their children’s actions they could potentially be prosecuted and have their children removed from their care.
5. It would restrict speech. Preaching what God has to say about sexuality, marriage, biology, and sin would now be in opposition to the language of the NYS constitution. Parents teaching their children that sodomy (homosexuality) is an abomination according to the Word of God could be accused of violating “civil rights”. Not only is this amendment in violation of the first amendment of the Constitution of the United States, but more importantly it’s in violation of the Word of God.
6. It would allow unrestricted abortion. The language “reproductive healthcare and autonomy” is intentionally vague and will provide more abortion protections in NYS. This language will be used to allow abortion through all nine months of pregnancy. Enshrining this into the constitution will make the fight to end abortion much more difficult, especially now that Republicans are merely advocating for leaving abortion up to each state.

These are just a few of the many problems with this proposal. We are instructed to seek justice, do good, and remove the wickedness from before the eyes of God (Isaiah 1:16-17). Therefore, we have a duty to oppose this wicked proposal. So, when you arrive at the polls, make sure to flip over your ballot and vote NO on Proposal One. Additionally, be in much prayer that this proposal would fail, and encourage everyone you know to get out and vote NO as well.

[1] https://www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/articles/2024/brad-hoylman-sigal/proposal-1-equal-rights-amendment

[2]https://ag.ny.gov/sites/default/files/abortion-laws-english.pdf