Position Statement

S1268 (Krueger) / A760 (Seawright)

Support

 WBASNY CONTINUES TO STRONGLY SUPPORT THE EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT 

The Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York (“WBASNY”), an organization comprising 4,400 attorneys and judges from across the state in private practice, government, academia and the courts, is dedicated to the advancement of women in law and society.  WBASNY continues to strongly support the Equal Rights Amendment (“ERA”).  WBASNY has long been an ardent supporter of amending the New York State Constitution to include sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity/expression as a protected class.  The passage of an ERA has been for years, and continues to be, a legislative priority for WBASNY.  Sex/gender bias is pervasive in our social structure.  Advancing constitutional protections against discrimination and ensuring equity in the administration of justice has the organization’s full support.  The adoption of an ERA in the State of New York is long overdue.  As we have previously stated, constitutional guarantees are needed at both the State and Federal level to prevent sex/gender discrimination from impeding the full participation of women in the law and society.

WBASNY is pleased that in addition to sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity/expression, the proposed Constitutional amendment would also include protected classes already recognized under the New York Human Rights Law, namely: ethnicity, national origin, age, and disability.  WBASNY applauds this long overdue amendment which will solidify equality under New York Law in a permanent and enduring way.  Its passage will ensure that all people of the Empire State are treated equally, regardless of their sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity/expression. Further, the ERA will help ensure equal pay and equal rights for all protected classes.