Planned Parenthood celebrates the second legislative passage of New York’s Equal Rights Amendment

Wendy Stark, President and CEO, Planned Parenthood of Greater New York issued the following statement after the New York State Legislature passed the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) in its second consecutive session.

According to Stark, the second passage of the ERA is an important step toward protecting reproductive rights and access in New York following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to end the federal constitutional right to abortion, established by Roe v. Wade.

New York voters will have an opportunity to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment when it appears on the November 2024 ballot.

Stark said:

“State leaders propelled New York toward a more just and equitable future with the second legislative passage of the Equal Rights Amendment. Once enshrined in the state constitution, the Equal Rights Amendment will explicitly prohibit discrimination based on pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes, further safeguarding our fundamental right to abortion and our bodily autonomy.

In the wake of relentless campaigns to persecute abortion patients and ongoing attacks against communities of color and the LGBTQ+ community across the country, it is imperative that New York adds an extra layer of protections to the state constitution that will prohibit discrimination based on ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, and sex – including sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. Planned Parenthood of Greater New York applauds the New York State Legislature for taking bold action against bias and discrimination in our state. We are committed to working with our advocacy partners and elected champions in Albany to ensure equitable access to sexual and reproductive health services, including abortion care.”