Ortt, Republican leaders urge ‘No’ vote on Proposition 1
Provided photo: Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt speaks during a news conference in Buffalo on Friday.
Press Release, State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt
BUFFALO – State Senator Rob Ortt on Friday was joined by elected officials and community activists to boldly oppose the ballot measure Proposition 1.
The proposition is a far overreaching amendment championed by liberal Democrats that would, among other things, open the door for stripping away parental rights, allow biological boys to play on girls sports teams, and allow illegal immigrants and non-citizens to receive the same state benefits as New Yorkers with full citizenship.
“Proposition 1 is a radical attack on the rights of women and girls, especially in sports,” said Ortt, the State Senate Republican leader. “New York Democrats are using this measure to push an extreme agenda that undermines fairness and common sense, and strips parents of their rights. We need every voter to step up, get to the polls, and protect the future of girls’ sports and parental rights by voting against Proposition 1.”
On Wednesday, Politifact confirmed that a passage of Prop 1 would strengthen transgender athletes’ attempts to compete in girls sports – mandating that schools allow biological boys to compete against biological girls.
Voters can choose either Yes or No to Proposition 1, which can be found on the back of the ballot.
“The passing of this bill will ignore the differences between men and women,” said Olivia Bell, a student athlete at SUNY Erie. “This bill ignores the beauty and specialty of women and men being unique. Prop 1 wants to make us all be the same but we aren’t. We are all children of God but we are all different, we all have different motivations, passions and stories that make us who we are but Proposition 1 will turn a blind eye to everything we’ve gone through as people. If this bill is passed we will all be seen as statistics and numbers, not the individuals God created us to be.”
Other speakers included Dennis Hannon, committee Chair of the Coalition to Protect Kids; State Senator George Borrello; and Erie County GOP chairman Michael Kracker.
“I’m a father in New York who saved his kindergarten age child from a forced gender conversion,” Hannon said. “Proponents of this amendment want you to think this isn’t happening, but parents like myself are a testimony it can, and it is. Prop 1 would empower and protect the people who did this to my son. Your child could be next. Vote NO to Prop 1 to prevent this from happening to your family.”
