NY proposed ERA curbs parents rights over kids’ transgender surgery : opponents

Critics rage against New York’s proposed ‘Equal Rights Amendment,’ saying the measure passed Nov. 5 could restrict parents’ rights when it comes to allowing minors to undergo sex change operation.

New York voters don’t yet know much about the details of the ERA, which could codify abortion rights in the state constitution — advanced by Gov. Kathy Hochul and the Democrats who lead the state legislature. the state.

The broad language of the proposal – dubbed Proposition 1 – has sparked fierce debate over what could happen if it passes, with opponents saying it would allow children to undergo serious medical procedures without parental consent. allow transgender people. women to compete in women’s sports.

“The first proposal would deprive parents of school-aged children of the legal right to be informed about critically important things happening with their children, including controversial gender reassignment procedures,” the Coalition said for the protection of children in a press release.

“Schools would be required to allow biological males to compete on female sports teams if voters approve this amendment.”

The proposal asks voters whether they support or oppose adding a provision to the constitution that says people cannot be denied rights based on their “ethnic origin, national origin, age and disability” or “sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, reproductive health care, and autonomy.

Coalition to Protect Kids NY Executive Director Greg Garvey said the ERA should instead be called the “Parent Replacement Act” because it “opens the floodgates” for the government to exercise more authority about children and their parents about some of the most important decisions of their lives.

“Any good lawyer will take one look at the text of Proposition 1 and say, ‘You’ve got to be kidding me,’” Garvey said.

“This ballot initiative is so broadly and poorly written that it could cause irreparable harm to children and families,” he added.

“Governor Hochul and her woke Albany colleagues have a lot of explaining to do.”

The group’s website includes a video saying a school could help a 7-year-old girl “try out life as a boy” and help her transition without her mother “knowing” under the amendment, adding: “Do you think this is OK?

The Child Protection Coalition also says laws that determine the legal age to purchase and/or consume alcohol or cannabis, elder abuse and statutory rape could all be weakened because they could undoubtedly “‘discriminate’ based on age”.

The group New Yorkers for Equal Rights denied that the amendment strips parents of their rights.

“These claims are simply not true. This amendment is intended to ensure that our human rights and reproductive freedoms are protected and never risk becoming a political football,” said Sasha Ahuja, campaign director of New Yorkers for Equal Rights.

The group supporting the amendment, in a statement Monday, also said: “If passed, the NY ERA would provide the most comprehensive list of protected categories of any state in the country – safeguarding the rights of New Yorkers and serving as a model. for other states. »

Members of the pro-ERA group include 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, Planned Parenthood, North Star, New York Immigration Coalition, Civil Liberties Union, NEW Pride Agenda, National Institute for Reproductive Health Action Fund, NAACP, Make the Road New York and Teachers United States of New York State.

New York already has some of the strictest abortion laws in the country and has long been pro-choice, with critics questioning whether such a controversial issue has a place in the constitution.

“It’s an ‘anything goes’ amendment,” said state Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar, whose party will campaign against the ERA.

He also said Democrats were seeking to “change the narrative” away from issues that belong to them, such as the migrant crisis and crime.

A lawsuit was filed in Livingston County Supreme Court claiming the Legislature approved the proposed amendment to voters before obtaining a legal opinion from state Attorney General Letitia James’ office.

There has also been a recent public backlash in New York against allowing trans women to participate in women’s sports, leading to a controversial ban at some sports venues in Nassau County.

Even one of the world’s most famous transgender women – Caitlyn Jenner – the former 1976 Olympic decathlon champion under the name Bruce Jenner – is against it.

Additional reporting by Vaughn Golden