Photo: Getty Images
New York's Proposition One, a constitutional equal rights amendment, has sparked heated debates and rallies both for and against it. The proposition, which is on the ballot for the upcoming election, aims to ban discrimination based on reproductive healthcare, sexual orientation, national origin, and age. Supporters, including Governor Kathy Hochul, argue that it protects abortion rights and fights for equal rights. However, opponents claim that the proposition could lead to non-citizen voting, transgender athletes competing in women's sports, and issues separating prisoners based on their sex.
Governor Hochul led a rally on Sunday urging voters to support Proposition One. She accused opponents of scare-mongering and lying about the proposition's implications. "They're trying to scare us and say all these things are going to happen if you pass this," Hochul said during a rally in Yonkers, as reported by the New York Post.
However, opponents of the proposition, including the Coalition to Protect Kids and the Vote No on Prop One Committee, argue that the vague language of the proposition could lead to unintended consequences. They claim that it could allow biological men who identify as transgender to compete against women in sports and could allow youngsters to get sexual reassignment surgery without parental consent. They also argue that it could pave the way for non-citizens to vote in elections and that taxpayers could be on the hook to pay for services for illegal migrants.
The debate over Proposition One has also pulled transgender rights into the spotlight. Proponents argue that it is a necessary step to enshrine LGBTQ+ rights into the state constitution, while opponents argue that it could endanger the safety of girls in locker rooms and the sanctity of girls' sports. The opposition has leveraged these fears in their campaign against the proposition, according to Politico.
The outcome of the vote on Proposition One will be determined on Election Day.