Should we adopt a Constitutional Equality Amendment?


Questions or comments: constcon99@aol.com	Should the United states adopt an amendment guaranteeing equal rights to all Americans regardless of sex, race, sexual orientation, marital status, ethnicity, national origin, color or indigence? In 1923, the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) guaranteeing women equal rights with men, was introduced to Congress. It does not win the approval of two-thirds of both the House of Representatives and the Senate in 1972. After ten years, ERA failed to win ratification in three-quarters of the state legislatures, falling three states short of the thiry-eight needed. In 1995, the National Organization for Women (NOW) decided to explore the possibility of offering another amendment to the Constitution called the Constitutional Equality Amendment (CEA). This amendment would not only guarantee equal rights and equal protection for women under the law, but would also require Constitutional equality to everyone regardless of sexual orientation and also establish a clear Constitutional protection of a woman's right to an abortion. So far, the CEA is being discussed primarily within NOW and has not been introduced to Congress. Consider whether such an amendment to the Constitution is necessary or desireable. NOW CEA links Constitutional Equality Amendment: A Working Draft The proposed text of the CEA Constitutional Equality Amendment Information History of the ERA and arguments in favor of the CEA from NOW Other groups that would likely be in favor of the CEA: Gay & Lesbian Alliance Agaist Defamation (GLAAD) GLAAD is an organization that promotes positive representation of members of the transgender, gay, and lesbian communities in the media Human Rights Campaign (HRC) HRC is an interest group which promotes equal rights for lesbians and gay men through lobbying, public education, and electoral campaigning. Lambda Legal Defence and Education Fund Lambda is an organization promoting the civil rights of gay men, lesbians, and people with HIV or AIDS through litigation, education, and public policy advocacy. Groups likely to be opposed to the CEA: American Family Association, Inc. (AFA) AFA is a media watchdog group that seeks to hold accountable companies that attack traditional family values and reward media corporations which support these values. Christian Coalition The Christian Coalition is an organization dedicated to giving conservative Christians a voice in government. The Coalition has a powerful lobby in Washington, D.C. and more than 2000 local chapters. Family Research Council (FRC) The FRC is a group that seeks to promote traditional family values through media advocacy, lobbying, education, and research. This link is connected to the FRC's CultureFacts newsletter which addresses gay issues.