‍ALBANY, New York — In November 2024, New York voters approved Proposition 1, the so-called Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), amending the state constitution to prohibit discrimination based on ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, and pregnancy outcomes. Proponents hailed it as a progressive victory aimed at protecting abortion rights, LGBTQ+ individuals, and marginalized groups. However, since taking effect on January 1, 2025, the ERA has unleashed a host of unintended consequences that its critics had long warned about.​

At Lucid Media, we previously covered Proposition 1 during the 2024 election, calling it a "Trojan Horse" that would threaten parental rights, religious freedom, and women's sports. That prediction has now become reality.​

Parental Rights Under Attack

One of the most alarming consequences of the ERA is its direct assault on parental rights. Since its implementation, there have been multiple reports of school districts and medical institutions bypassing parents when making major decisions about their children's gender identity and healthcare.​

In January 2025, following a federal executive order titled "Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation," several hospitals in New York canceled transition-related care appointments for minors due to fears of losing federal funds. This abrupt decision left many parents out of the decision-making process regarding their children's healthcare, causing panic and confusion among families who view these treatments as essential. The ERA's broad language has been interpreted to support such actions, effectively sidelining parental involvement in critical health decisions. ​The New Yorker

This scenario exemplifies the concerns we raised in 2024, warning that the ERA could be used as a tool to strip parents of their authority over their children's well-being. New York parents are now confronting the harsh reality of these predictions.​

Religious Freedom Faces Legal Battles

The ERA's ambiguous language has also opened the door to legal attacks on religious institutions, faith-based businesses, and private schools.​

In recent months, faith-based adoption agencies in New York have faced lawsuits compelling them to place children with same-sex couples, directly contradicting their religious convictions. Similarly, religious schools adhering to traditional teachings on gender and marriage are encountering legal challenges for not embracing the state's mandated gender ideologies. These institutions are being pressured to comply with practices that violate their deeply held beliefs or risk severe legal repercussions. ​Human Life Review

Opponents of Proposition 1 had cautioned that such outcomes would trample over First Amendment rights, and these fears are now materializing.​

Women's Sports Are Being Destroyed

With the ERA enshrining gender identity as a protected class, biological males identifying as female now have free rein to compete in women's sports. The consequences have been devastating.​

In October 2024, a high school female athlete voiced concerns that Proposition 1 would allow biological males to participate in girls' sports, leading to unfair competition and potential safety issues. She highlighted instances where female athletes lost opportunities and faced injuries due to competing against biological males. This situation underscores the fears that the ERA would undermine the integrity of women's athletics, as biological differences can create uneven playing fields, disadvantaging female athletes. ​New York Post

This is exactly what conservative leaders and women's rights advocates warned about, yet New York lawmakers ignored the warnings—choosing instead to appease radical activists at the expense of fairness and safety for women.​

Legal Chaos and Future Forecast

As expected, the vague and sweeping nature of the ERA has led to a surge in lawsuits—many of which could take years to resolve. The amendment's broad language allows for almost limitless legal challenges, creating a minefield for businesses, religious organizations, schools, and even medical professionals.​

Looking ahead, experts predict:

• An increase in lawsuits against religious institutions—​forcing them to choose between their faith and legal compliance.​
• Greater government intervention in parental decisions, particularly in matters of gender identity and medical treatment.​
• More female athletes losing opportunities as male competitors continue dominating women's sports with legal protection.​
• The potential for pro-life doctors and nurses to be sued or fired for refusing to participate in abortion procedures.​

New York rushed into passing this amendment without considering its long-term consequences. Now, the state is facing the fallout of a law that was deliberately designed to reshape society according to radical leftist ideology.​

Conclusion

The Equal Rights Amendment was sold to voters as a civil rights victory, but in reality, it is a dangerous Trojan Horse that is eroding parental rights, religious freedom, and fairness in women's sports. As the fallout from Proposition 1 continues, New Yorkers are beginning to realize the full extent of the damage.​

With legal battles mounting and more victims emerging, the ERA may go down in history as one of the most reckless and destructive policies ever enacted in New York. If this is what "progress" looks like, New Yorkers may soon wish they had listened to the warnings before it was too late.​

References

• The New Yorker – Where Do Trans Kids Go from Here? (January 2025)
• The Human Life Review – The New York State Equal Rights Amendment and Religious Liberty (October 2024)
• The New York Post – I'm a high school athlete - don't let Prop 1 destroy girls' sports (October 31, 2024)
• Lucid Media – Proposition 1: The Trojan Horse Threatening Parental Rights, Religious Freedom, and Women's Sports (2024)