New Yorkers for Equal Rights is a coalition of over 500 organizations formed to support New York Proposal 1, a state constitutional amendment passed during the 2024 election that would prohibit discrimination based on gender identity, sexual orientation, and reproductive health decisions.  ^{1 2}

Activities and Advocacy

New Yorkers for Equal Rights functioned primarily as the campaign committee for Proposal 1, a ballot measure to amend the New York State Constitution to prohibit discrimination based on “ethnicity, national origin, age, disability,” or “sex including sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy…and reproductive healthcare” decisions. ³ Supporters claimed the amendment would expand protections for abortion access and gender identity in state law. ^{4 2}

The campaign reported raising over $2.7 million by mid-2024, including more than $2.1 million in cash and over $600,000 in in-kind contributions, according to Ballotpedia. The group spent $1.87 million on advertising, outreach, and media efforts.  ²

Leadership

New Yorkers for Equal Rights is overseen by an executive committee composed of representatives from labor unions, civil rights organizations, and advocacy groups, including 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, 32BJ SEIU, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Planned Parenthood Empire State Acts, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU), New York State United Teachers, New Pride Agenda, Make the Road Action, New York Immigration Coalition, North Star, National Institute for Reproductive Health Action, and NAACP New York. ¹

Contributors

Major contributors to New Yorkers for Equal Rights include the New York Civil Liberties Union (over $850,000), the National Institute for Reproductive Health Action Fund and its parent group the National Institute for Reproductive Health, and Planned Parenthood Empire State Acts. The group also affiliated with SEIU-linked labor unions. ²

1. “About the Campaign.” NY Equal Rights. Accessed May 30, 2025. https://www.nyequalrights.org/about
2. “Right-to-Abortion Ballot Measure Campaigns Reported 10 Times More in Contributions than Opposition Campaigns in 2024 so Far.” Ballotpedia News. Accessed May 30, 2025. https://news.ballotpedia.org/2024/09/27/right-to-abortion-ballot-measure-campaigns-reported-10-times-more-in-contributions-than-opposition-campaigns-in-2024-so-far/.
3. “New York Proposal 1, Equal Protection of Law Amendment (2024).” Ballotpedia, Accessed June 19, 2025. https://ballotpedia.org/New_York_Proposal_1,_Equal_Protection_of_Law_Amendment_(2024).
4. “Yes On NY Prop 1: Protect Abortion.” NY Equal Rights. Accessed May 30, 2025.  https://www.nyequalrights.org/