Democrats Introduce Wisconsin Equal Rights Amendment on International Women’s Day

MADISON – Today, Representative Lisa Subeck (D-Madison) and a group of legislative Democrats announced the introduction of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) to the State of Wisconsin Constitution. The federal ERA passed in the House of Representatives October 12, 1971, and the United States Senate on March 22, 1972.  Wisconsin was one of the first to ratify the ERA on April 26, 1972, but has never passed an ERA amendment to its own constitution.  Rep. Subeck released the following statement regarding the introduction of an Equal Rights Amendment to Wisconsin’s constitution.

“All Wisconsinites should have equal rights and protection under the law, no matter what. The Wisconsin Equal Rights Amendment we introduced today would amend our constitution to guarantee equal rights on the basis of sex, gender identity, race, color, sexual orientation, disability, religion, national origin, marital status, family status, age, ancestry, or any other immutable characteristic.

Too often, rights are treated as something to be given and taken away by whatever politicians control our state or local government. If we are to achieve freedom and equality, we must guarantee equal rights for all, regardless of who you are, where you come from, or who you love; and regardless of how you worship, the color of your skin, or any of the unique, immutable characteristics that make us who we are.

At its core, the Wisconsin Equal Rights Amendment is about equal opportunity and equal protection for all. Wisconsin affirmed a federal ERA in 1972 – who would have thought that nearly 50 years later, we would still be fighting for equality?”

Representative Lisa Subeck has represented the 78th Assembly District since 2015 and serves as vice-chair of the Assembly Democratic Caucus.

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