What is the New York Equal Rights Amendment, and what will it do?

From New Yorkers for Equal Rights:

“The New York State Equal Rights Amendment is an amendment to New York’s State Constitution that adds explicit protections for people who experience discrimination. At a moment in time when we are seeing state governments and courts walk rights backwards, this proposal embeds explicit protections within our state constitution.

Adding to existing enumerated protections against discrimination based on race and religion, this amendment would explicitly prohibit discrimination based on a person’s ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, and sex—including their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes, reproductive healthcare and autonomy.

This Amendment ensures that New York’s founding document and our strongest legal protections extend to all New Yorkers the right to be free from discrimination, particularly those who have faced severe and pervasive injustice.”

Why should people of faith support this non-partisan ballot measure?

Presbyterians have long been supporters of human rights and religious liberty. While our tradition has struggled with the pervasive sins of sexism, racism, transphobia, and homophobia, official PCUSA policy and theology supports the full inclusion of women, LGBTQ+ people, pregnant people and people capable of pregnancy, and people with disabilities in the church and in society. Read more about PCUSA policy regarding these issues below.

Regarding race, ethnicity, and anti-racist policy and action:

Add an Antiracism Policy with Suggested Training for All Members of Each Council
On Offering an Apology to African Americans for the Sin of Slavery and Its Legacy
A Resolution on Racism as a Public Health Crisis

Regarding national origin
Regarding the Treatment of Refugees

Regarding age discrimination

Churchwide Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Plan

Regarding disability concerns and justice

Presbyterians for Disability Concerns

Living into the Body of Christ: Towards Full Inclusion of People with Disabilities

Regarding religion/creed

Religious Freedom Without Discrimination

Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation

On Celebrating the Gifts of People of Diverse Sexual Orientations and Gender Identities in the Life of the Church
Regarding the Creation of an Advocacy Committee for LGBTQIA+ Equity—From the LGBTQIA+ Advocacy Task Force

Pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, reproductive healthcare and autonomy

On Affirming Reproductive Justice