Local leaders and advocates gather at Queens City Hall to support Proposition 1 amid fierce opposition – QNS

A group of local elected officials, social service organizations, and reproductive rights advocacy groups gathered on the steps of Queens City Hall on Thursday, October 24, to support Proposition 1. on the ballot this is november.

Speakers and supporters included Senator John Liu (D-16), Assemblymembers Catalina Cruz (D-39) and Jessica Gonzalez Rojas (D-34), Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. and Queens Borough Deputy Mayor Ebony Young. Organizers rallied behind elected officials, waving flags and holding signs that read “Protect Safe, Legal Abortion” and “Vote Yes on Proposition 1.”

For supporters, voting yes on Proposition 1, known as the Equal Rights Amendment, is critical because they believe it would enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution.

The amendment expands a section of the state constitution that currently protects against unequal treatment based on race, creed or religion. according to text, The expansion would expand protection against unequal treatment based on ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes, as well as reproductive health and autonomy. The amendment allows laws to prevent or eliminate past discrimination.

Much of the speech by lawmakers and advocates focused on protecting New Yorkers’ reproductive rights.

“We must vote yes to protect the rights of all New Yorkers to exist as they choose, without discrimination for who they are or what they choose to do with their bodies. After the Supreme Court overturned Roe V. Wade two years ago, we saw how our rights can be taken away,” Young said. “We see how abortion care is being criminalized in states across the country. “Even though abortion care is legal in New York, we want to make sure it always remains legal.”

Thursday’s rally became tense at times as counter-protesters approached speakers. Many of the counterprotesters held signs reading “Say No to Proposition 1, Save Girls’ Sports” and shouted profanity-filled accusations at Richards and other elected officials. One counterprotester wearing a MAGA hat repeatedly hit a kettlebell during Richards’ remarks, while another, also wearing a MAGA hat, shouted “MAGA” and called officials “rats.”

Richards verbally sparred with counter-protesters during his speech, saying: “The stakes could not be higher this election season. “We see how the right wing (I think a few of them came out today) demonize people because of their background, their beliefs, their ethnicity, their gender, their identity, their sexual orientation,” he said. “But we have a message for them: We are in Queens, we will never let you tell us how to live our lives.”

Richards, Roe v. He echoed Young’s views on protecting reproductive rights in a post-Wade society. “Proposition 1 gives New Yorkers the freedom to control their lives, their futures, and their health-related decisions, including the right to abortion,” she said, adding that 1 in 3 women live in states with some level of abortion bans.

Donna Liberman, executive director of the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) and founder of the NYCLU Reproductive Rights Project, emphasized to supporters that Proposition 1 would protect reproductive rights, including abortion, birth control, and in vitro fertilization treatments.

Additionally, Liberman explained that women are facing an “extreme” anti-abortion playbook affecting them across the country. According to Liberman, Roe v. Since the overturn of the Wade case, 25 million women now live in states where abortion is completely or almost completely banned, affecting 57% of all Black women of childbearing age in America.

Liberman explained that statistics show that abortion rights and equal rights are not guaranteed as the political tide changes. “We need abortion rights in our constitution, we need equal rights in our constitution, New York needs Proposition 1. Because we know that political gains can change, laws can be changed very easily, and we all know that New York is a battleground state,” he said. .

Although small in number, counterprotesters vociferously opposed Proposition 1. A handful of people spoke to QNS about the reasoning behind their opposition.

6th District congressional candidate Thomas Zmich said he is protesting Proposition 1 to “keep men out of women’s sports.” “This amendment would legislate that men would be allowed to participate in women’s sports, which would turn everything upside down. This takes away all future hopes and dreams of little girls to succeed in sports,” said Zmich. Zmich’s concerns are similar to other opponents of Proposition 1, who believe the broad language in the proposal would allow transgender children to play on sports teams that do not match their biological sex.

Other opponents, including Bayside resident Elena, who declined to give her last name, said she believed children were left defenseless because the proposal’s age and gender identity protections created a gray area.

“We are parents; We raise our children, we know what is best. I was a guidance counselor in the New York City public school system. “I had to leave because what I was being taught was so radically contrary to everything I knew to be true,” she said. “I feel so strongly about how my little elementary students were completely confused and overwhelmed by what they were hearing. Most adults can’t understand these gender issues, and now we’re imposing this on babies?” said Elena.

Elena added that she felt the proposal’s elimination of ageism would allow children to access gender-affirming hormone therapy without parental consent. “Does this mean that if a child wants a gender change… if they don’t want their parents to know they are transitioning, will the doctor be forced to medically transition that child without the parents’ consent?”

Proposition 1 would not change existing laws regarding parental consent or parental involvement in health-related decision-making for their children, including gender-affirming care. New York City Bar Association.

It also would not change existing laws regarding participation in sports teams. There is no “clear provision” regarding participation in sports teams. Proposition 1 is consistent with Title IX, a federal law interpreted by federal courts to require youth to play on sports teams that match their gender identity and expression.

NYC DOE already has Guidelines in place for transgender and gender-oriented students Participating in sports and physical education. Generally, one student should be allowed to participate. physical education, intramural sports, competitive athletics activities and contact sports that match the student’s gender identity at school.

In 2023, CDC conducts first national survey It’s about the transgender youth population. The survey found 3.3% of U.S. high school students identify as transgender, while 2.2% identify as questioning. It also highlighted health disparities in transgender youth; these include higher levels of violence, poor mental health, suicidal thoughts and behaviors, unstable housing, and lower prevalence of school engagement compared to cisgender peers.