Lift the Time Limit

 

ERA bills proposed in this 116th Congress would lift the time limit that was imposed by the 1972 Congress.  A simple majority vote in the U.S. House would effectively bring the ERA ratification back to life.  Court challenges are expected, regarding the time limit and the attempted withdrawal of ratification in the 1970's by five of the ratified states.  The issue is out in the open again. Americans are learning about what has been missing from their Consitution for so long.

 

 

FAQ's

 

The ERA is about treating people equally under the law. People are different. The sexes are different. But should they be treated equally by law? That's the issue.

 

Is a Constitutional Amendment worth the bother? 

When it protects half the population otherwise not included? YES.

When the laws on the books cannot be properly enforced because they lack constitutional basis and are subject to biased interpretation by the courts? YES.

 

Is the ERA necessary?

If you care about women, many of whom cannot avoid the injustice of lower pay, fewer opportunities and sex discrimination in daily life, YES.

 

Would the ERA encourage abortions?

Legal abortion has not been permitted or denied based on equality between the sexes.  Roe v. Wade was based on the principle of privacy, excluding the government from extremely private decisions of its citizens.  We ALL want fewer abortions performed, but there are better ways to reduce the number of abortions - complete health care, contraception, education - than to deny women their constitutional rights. Should opposition to abortion prevent equality in how the law treats women in every other regard?  NO

 

Would the ERA force us to share bathrooms?

Our culture has changed and single-stall unisex and gender-neutral bathrooms have become common in many public places. Prohibiting sex discrimination in the constitution might make a case for separate and more equal facilities (baby-changing space in male restrooms, for instance) but it is unlikely to influence the commonly-held practice of separate group facilities.

 

Would the ERA force women into the military?

Women now make up 14% of the nation's armed forces. There has not been a draft since 1972.  The Selective Service has had the power to draft any American. It has had the power to draft a group and then select the fittest.  Congress has always had the power to prevent the draft and any part of it. This will probably continue. Women now hold combat positions but they are not always paid or able to advance accordingly, to be on a par with their male cohorts. An ERA would remedy that inequity.

 

Would the ERA undermine the 'American family'?

Twenty percent of 'American families' are headed by a single woman.  The ERA would help those parents, with fair and equal pay for equal work, equal education and job opportunities, equal access to medical care and better protection from sexual harassment and sexual violence. In two-parent families, 62% of mothers and 66% of fathers work outside the home. These families would be better served, women and men, boys and girls, if all members of the family were equally represented by the laws of the land.

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What are we doing at Equal Rights Maine? 

• We are building a network of supporters of the ERA.  Join Us.

• We are keeping the ERA visible in the Press.

• We are actively engaged with our legislators, advocating for an ERA.

• We are holding ERA workshops and film screenings of Equal Means Equal (90 minutes), a powerful 2016 documentary on women’s rights in America, and Legalize Equality (30 minutes), the condensed version.

 

How can you help?

• Forward this newsletter to your friends, neighbors and legislators.

• Our Calls to Action will come to you with updates on what you can do.

• Organize a workshop or talk in your community to discuss the ERA.

• Stand up, speak up and Join Us.