Equal Rights Amendment in Minnesota
Equality is a core value that strengthens communities and ensures everyone can participate fully in society. The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) is a long-standing national movement that seeks to enshrine equality under the law in the U.S. Constitution, protecting individuals from discrimination based on sex and other identities. While the federal ERA remains unratified, Minnesota is taking bold steps to champion this principle at the state level. The proposed Minnesota Equal Rights Amendment builds on this legacy, explicitly guaranteeing equality under the law for all, including individuals with disabilities. By enshrining protections into the state constitution, the ERA is not just a legal safeguard—it’s a statement of Minnesota’s commitment to fairness and inclusion for all its residents.
Rally for Equal Rights
On January 14, 2025, the Minnesota Council on Disability (MCD) joined a coalition of advocacy groups at the “Forward Together: Rally for Equal Rights” at the Minnesota State Capitol. This event, which marked the start of the legislative session, called on lawmakers to advance the Minnesota Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). With approximately 150 supporters gathering in the Capitol Rotunda, the rally underscored the widespread support for enshrining equality into Minnesota’s constitution.
Trevor Turner, MCD’s Public Policy Director, delivered a speech during the rally highlighting the importance of including disability rights in the ERA. As someone who is DeafBlind, Trevor shared his lived experience and stressed that “disability is unique. It transcends race, gender, age, sexuality, religion, and socioeconomic status. It is the only marginalized identity that anyone can become a part of at any time, both permanently and temporarily.”
Trevor described how Minnesotans with disabilities face barriers in education, employment, healthcare, and public life. He emphasized that the ERA is not just about protecting others—it’s about safeguarding everyone’s rights, now and into the future. “By including disability in the Equal Rights Amendment,” he stated, “we are saying, loudly and clearly, that discrimination against people with disabilities has no place in our state.”
Need for a Constitutional Amendment
We must embed these protections in the state constitution. The Minnesota Human Rights Act (MN HRA) provides critical protections against discrimination, but it is a legislative act that can be repealed with a simple majority vote in the legislature and the governor’s signature. Repealing a constitutional amendment, on the other hand, would require a legislatively approved ballot measure and a majority vote by Minnesotans. This added permanence makes a constitutional amendment far more robust, ensuring that people’s rights are protected regardless of political changes.
Advancing Equality for All Minnesotans
The Minnesota Equal Rights Amendment represents a critical step forward for the state, reaffirming its commitment to equality and inclusion. By embedding these protections into the constitution, Minnesota can lead the way in ensuring access, opportunity, and justice for all—today and for generations to come. This amendment isn’t just about laws; it’s about the values that unite us as Minnesotans. True equality must include everyone.