Vermont Ballot Measure Would Enshrine ‘Gender Identity’ Into Constitution
In the 2026 midterm election, Vermont citizens will consider Proposal 4 (Prop 4) which would guarantee protections for each person’s sexual preference and “identity” in the Vermont Constitution.
Vermont’s General Assembly passed Prop 4 earlier this year, referring it to voters to consider at the ballot box on November 3. The Vermont Senate passed the proposed constitutional amendment in a 29-0 vote, while the state House of Representatives passed it 128-14.
The “Equality of Rights” Amendment proposes a long list of various characteristics, invented identities and expressions to add as protected classes in the Vermont Constitution, including an individual’s “sexual orientation,” “gender identity” and “gender expression.”
If passed, the ballot measure would add this proposed language to the Vermont Constitution:
While “equal rights” may sound compelling, Prop 4 would have negative consequences for Vermont citizens.
Prop 4 threatens the privacy and safety of women by protecting individuals’ “gender identity” and “gender expression.” If the measure passes, biological men identifying as women would have a constitutional right to access women’s bathrooms, locker rooms and sports.
Now, you might be wondering what so-called gender identities the measure would protect. The answer is … all of them. Gender activists say there are at least 72 different gender identities – from xenogender to cakegender to biogender to chaosgender.
Of course, these different gender identities aren’t real. They’re made up out of whole cloth by gender activists, who continually create new “identities” for any person to become by a simple declaration.
But the point stands. If Prop 4 passes, any person could make up and identify as any gender identity – even ones not yet invented – and instantly receive constitutional protections.
You might still be confused as to what all that means. If so, you’re not alone. As we’ve previously written, “Gender activists are making all this up as they go along, so don’t expect it to make sense.”
Additionally, Prop 4 poses a significant threat to religious freedom by enshrining protections for “sexual orientation” into the state Constitution.
Laws that protect sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI laws) are frequently used to target people of faith and those who believe humans are created male and female.
As Dr. Ryan T. Anderson has warned, “SOGI laws are the ones that have been used to penalize bakers, florists, photographers, schools, and adoption agencies when they declined to act against their convictions concerning marriage and sexuality. Such laws do not adequately protect religious liberty or freedom of speech.”
For example, same-sex activists sued Christian baker Jack Phillips for refusing to create a custom cake for their “wedding,” an action they claimed violated the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act, which contains SOGI protections. Thankfully, Phillips eventually won his case – and two additional ones.
In the case of Vermont, the Vote No on Prop 4 campaign encourages Vermont citizens to Vote “No” on Prop 4. It warns that if the proposal passes, it would:
- Enshrine unequal rights into the Vermont Constitution.
- Exacerbate Vermont’s affordability issues.
The group also advises that voting “No” on Prop 4 would not end equal rights in Vermont. It would send the Vermont Legislature back to the drawing board to draft a real equal rights amendment.
The Vermont Family Alliance, a parental rights and child protections advocacy group, opposes Prop 4:
If you live in Vermont, we encourage you to vote “No” on Proposal 4 this November 3, or when you vote early this election. You can visit Vermont’s secretary of state’s website to find out more about early voting.
Related articles and resources:
How to Talk to Your Children About ‘Transgenderism’
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