The ERA Circus: How Caution, Infiltration & Political Games Are Delaying Equal Rights for Women

A Cautionary Tale: When “Strategy” Becomes the Real Obstacle

Once upon a time, a movement set out to enshrine equality for women in the Constitution. But somewhere along the way, it got hijacked by a traveling circus of delays, donor demands, and self-sabotaging tactics.

Recent efforts, including Equal Means Equal v. Trump lawsuit backed by figures like Wendy Murphy and her cohorts, have struggled… backfired — now shifting away from direct opposition to the ERA while delivering yet another setback for women’s rights. Insiders note that some voices in ERA advocacy circles bring pro-life perspectives on protecting motherhood as a valued vocation and opposing commercial surrogacy as a form of exploitation, while still supporting fertility treatments that help women conceive and carry their own children. Critics within the movement worry that these viewpoints can introduce cultural tensions that complicate unified progress on constitutional equality.

Democrats reportedly worry that fully passing and implementing the ERA could undermine their existing political framework. On the Republican side, Senator Lisa Murkowski has held back, citing reluctance to let Trump claim any credit — despite having introduced S.J. Res. 38 in March 2025 to affirm ratification and remove the original deadline. Meanwhile, well-funded women’s organizations often align with the priorities of their PAC donors, sometimes prioritizing short-term outrage and electoral gains over concrete advances in constitutional equality.

The legal strategy itself raises concerns. In a 2021 Ms. Magazine article, Linda Coberly, of Winston and Strawn, and the ERA Coalition advocated a “belt and suspenders” approach — combining litigation with legislation — partly because congressional action could invoke the political question doctrine and limit deeper court involvement. Yet in a recent ABA webinar, she expressed relief that a key case wasn’t advanced to the Supreme Court, stating she was “relieved, because I don’t think that our position [that the ERA is in the Constitution] would prevail…”

This contrast reveals a cautious approach that, while intended to protect the movement, has instead contributed to years of stalled progress. Rights remain in limbo, healthcare access suffers with each delay, and meaningful equality feels perpetually just out of reach.

Enough with the ongoing delays and mixed signals.

If you’re tired of seeing women’s constitutional equality held hostage by politics, grants, caution, competing agendas, and internal ideological differences, it’s time to demand better.

Sign the petition today urging Senator Murkowski to champion the ERA and circulate the Dear Colleague letter for SJ Res 38. Push for real momentum instead of more performative stalls.

And have a great day full of laughs!

Love and Light in Christ,

Helene