Urge Your Legislators to Oppose the ERA

Urge Your Legislators to Oppose the ERA—the Erosion of Rights Amendment 

State legislators have proposed a state constitutional amendment called the “Equal Rights Amendment” that fails to protect Minnesotans from discrimination based on religion, could constitutionally mandate legal abortion up to the moment of birth, and promotes harmful gender ideology.

“All persons shall be guaranteed equal rights under the laws of this state. The state shall not discriminate against any person in intent or effect on account of one or more of the following: race; color; national origin; ancestry; disability; or sex, including but not limited to: making and effectuating decisions about all matters relating to one’s own pregnancy or decision whether to become or remain pregnant; gender identity or gender expression; or sexual orientation.”

The language excludes “religion” or “creed.” The exclusion of religion means that Minnesotans may not be protected from religious discrimination.

   

The proposed language also includes “gender identity or expression” and provisions that would protect the right to an abortion.

If passed by the Legislature and approved by voters at the ballot box, potential outcomes include:

• The loss of parental rights to care for a child when the child asserts a new gender identity
• The inability for Catholic schools to teach the belief that we were created male and female
• Faith-based organizations and schools being forced to hire transgender individuals or those not living according to Church teaching
• Expansive abortion access with little room for sensible safeguards such as waiting periods, parental notification, or necessary ultrasounds
• Medical professionals being forced to perform abortions and gender surgery
• The decline of women’s sports
• Mandated pronoun usage that attacks freedom of speech
• Potentially increased legal action against faith communities and schools that reject gender ideology and abortion, including the loss of state funding
• The shutdown of faith-based shelters for women

The ERA is a trojan horse that weakens women’s rights and threatens the conscience rights and liberty of all faithful Minnesotans, allowing the state to assert sovereignty over the family and the Church. It is an intrusion of the state into the Church and the home.

Think this is alarmist? Watch this video below of interfaith advocates being dismissed and scolded by legislators while working to protect religious freedom in state law.

Please urge your legislator to vote against any ERA without specifically protecting people of faith against discrimination.