Supporters and opponents of a far-reaching Equal Rights Amendment to the Minnesota Constitution gathered at the State Capitol ahead of crucial votes aimed at putting it on the 2026 ballot. The amendment would provide extensive protections for abortion and LGBTQ+ rights if approved by both chambers this session and then by voters in two years. Anti-abortion activists and conservative religious groups are working hard to defeat it, but Democrats, who hold a majority, are pushing for its passage. The state House adjourned without voting on the bill Monday after it got bogged down in conference committees, and it remains unclear when the measure will be taken up on the floor.
Dozens of supporters and opponents of the ERA gathered outside the House chamber, with supporters wearing green and holding signs advocating for equality, while opponents wore red and held signs saying “STOP ERA.” The amendment would prohibit discrimination based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, or sex, including gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation. Rev. Doug Donley, a pastor at University Baptist Church in Minneapolis, voiced his support for the ERA, emphasizing the importance of accepting transgender individuals in the church. His sister, Trish Donley, a retired obstetrics nurse, shared the potential risks of denying timely abortions to those in health crises.
On the other side, ERA opponents wore red and raised concerns about the protection of the unborn, with David Mennicke, a music professor in St. Paul, expressing his belief that the ERA would deny rights to unborn babies. His wife, Katherine Mennicke, a retired special education teacher, added that children like the ones she worked with are often targeted for abortion, and she cannot support the amendment. As the debate continued, Republicans proposed 17 changes to the ERA to lessen its impact, but Democrats were confident in their ability to hold off the changes and pass the proposal, citing the importance of fairness, equality, and opposition to discrimination in Minnesota.
In the Senate, Democrats hold just a one-seat majority, and the House author, Kaohly Her, expressed hope that the Senate would accept the House language to avoid negotiations. ERA opponents launched a $1 million ad campaign and staged a rally, criticizing the amendment for allegedly glossing over its implications for abortion restrictions. They argued that the amendment could infringe on religious freedom and force individuals to endorse practices that violate their beliefs. However, Long and Her refuted these claims, stating that protections for religion already exist in both state and federal constitutions. The ongoing debate highlights the deep divisions among Minnesotans regarding equality, discrimination, and individual rights.
