Equal Rights Amendment North Carolina Alliance

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Sip-n-Paint for the ERA

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Sipping and Painting in WilmingtonWe’ve scheduled some fun Sip-n-Paint fundraisers for the ERA-NC Alliance this summer! Enjoy a glass of wine and some snacks, grab your brushes and help us raise funds for some exciting events we’re planning. We’re partnering with Wine & Design for these events. They provide the space, the art supplies and a painting instructor; we’re providing the first few bottles of wine (so you may want to bring some along as well!) and snacks.

Who are you inspired by … Frida Kahlo? Georgia O’Keeffe? Mary Cassatt? Don’t worry, you don’t need to be a famous artist to pick up some brushes and join us for a fun gathering! Visit our Facebook page for photos from past events. We can’t wait to see your works of art!

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ERA Bills Filed at the NCGA

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House and Senate bills for North Carolina to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment were introduced this week. You can read them on the NCGA’s website:

H500: https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/H500
S438: https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/S438

Please thank the bill co-sponsors – they are our ERA Champions! Both bills were referred to their respective Rules Committees, where bills unfortunately tend to die of neglect.

Ross Nethery was kind enough to video the press conference, you can find that on our Facebook page, and we’ll post video from the NCGA video feed on our YouTube page soon.

 

2025 ERA Advocacy Day

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New bills affirm 28th Amendment to U.S. Constitution, urge N.C. to ratify ERA

North Carolina Rep. Julie von Haefen and Sen. Natalie Murdock introduced bills affirming the Equal Rights Amendment as the 28th Amendment and urging North Carolina to become the 39th state to ratify.

The ERA was fully ratified in January 2020, and has been affirmed as the 28th Amendment by the American Bar Association and respected constitutional scholars.

Rep Julie von Haefen“I am proud to be the primary House sponsor of this bill for the fourth consecutive session,” said Rep. von Haefen. “Some people may ask why our state still needs to pass a bill regarding the ERA after Virginia became the final state necessary for ratification in 2020. [Read more…] about 2025 ERA Advocacy Day

3/26/25 Advocacy Day @ NCGA

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ERA Advocacy Day, 2023
ERA Advocacy Day, 2023

We’re looking forward to seeing you in Raleigh on March 26 at the North Carolina General Assembly, 16 W. Jones St.! Bring your signs and energy and talking points as we rally for equality and visit our legislators in their offices.

 

We’re excited that new ERA ratification bills will be introduced that day by our ERA Champions, Representatives Julie von Haefen, Mary Belk, Lindsey Prather and Renee Price, and Senators Julie Mayfield, Natalie Murdock and Woodson Bradley.

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NCGA Bills Will Protect Marriage Equality

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Equality champion Rep. Deb Butler files two bills to protect same-sex marriage in N.C.

Despite the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2015 ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges, North Carolina still has a ban on the books regarding same-sex marriage.

State Rep. Deb Butler’s first proposal, House Bill 174, would obliterate the ban and affirm the federal protections of all married couples, regardless of gender.

The second bill, House Bill 175, seeks a state constitutional amendment explicitly safeguarding marriage equality in North Carolina. This amendment would ensure protection even if the federal Supreme Court has second thoughts.

“Deb Butler has long been a champion for Equal Rights, so it came as no surprise to see her seek a state constitutional amendment to protect same-sex marriage in North Carolina,” said Marla Barthen, ERA-NC Alliance co-president and Butler’s constituent. “If you know her, you know she does not yield or back down on matters of equality.”

Given a shifting federal judiciary, North Carolina has the power to fortify civil rights protections for all its citizens. Butler said, “Marriage equality is a settled issue for the vast majority of Americans, and our state should reflect that reality. These bills are about ensuring dignity, security and legal protection for all families in the face of uncertainty at the federal level.”

We applaud Rep. Deb Butler for her strong support of human rights, from same-sex marriage security to equality for all through the 28th Amendment, formerly known as the Equal Rights Amendment.