Government Administration and Elections Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: SB-759
AN ACT CONCERNING GENDER NEUTRALITY IN THE STATE
Title: CONSTITUTION.
Vote Date: 3/29/2021
Vote Action: Joint Favorable Substitute
PH Date: 3/10/2021
File No.:
Disclaimer: The following JOINT FAVORABLE Report is prepared for the benefit of the
members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and
explanation and does not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber
thereof for any purpose.
SPONSORS OF BILL:
The Government Administration and Elections Committee
REASONS FOR BILL:
The bill seeks to establish a task force that will review the text of the Connecticut constitution
and make recommendations to replace gendered language. By February 1, 2022, the task
force is expected to submit a report on its findings and recommendations to the Government
Administration and Elections Committee. Upon submission of the report, the task force will
terminate.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
Shawn T. Wooden, Treasurer, Connecticut State Treasurer: Treasurer Wooden submitted
testimony in support of the bill. He emphasized the importance of representation and the
impact of words on our own individual biases and expectations. Treasurer Wooden believes
that this bill would ensure that our state constitution lives up to the values it promotes.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
Luther Weeks, Member of Secular Connecticut: On behalf of Secular Connecticut, Mr.
Weeks applauded the efforts to remove gendered language from the state constitution. In
addition to removing gendered language, Mr. Weeks would like to see the scope of the
commission expanded to include the removal of religious language, and any language that
may be at odds with federal law or the United States Constitution. Citing religious language in
the state constitution and the requirement that Connecticut General Assembly members be
sworn in on a religious oath, Mr. Weeks believes it is long past time to make the constitution
and our state government free from religion.
Amy Ewing: Ms. Ewing echoed the sentiments expressed by Secular Connecticut to expand
the scope of the commission to include the removal of religious language. Ms. Ewing
identified the language in our state constitution as being geared towards religious white
males, which is an extremely obsolete notion considering the diversity and inclusion in our
state today. She emphasized the importance of words in terms of promoting inclusivity and
equality.
Charlotte Johnstone: Ms. Johnstone staunchly supports the bill. Ms. Johnstone cites a
study which found that women are negatively affected by gender exclusive language,
particularly during a job interview. In addition to the removal of gender exclusive language,
Ms. Johnstone would like to see the committee explore the addition of language that is
inclusive of the nonbinary gender identity.
Kelly McConney Moore, Interim Senior Policy Council for the American Civil Liberties
Union of Connecticut (ACLU-CT): The ACLU strongly supports the bill as a means to
remove discriminatory language, all while preserving the current meaning of the state
constitution. Despite court decisions that have found the use of male pronouns in the
constitution as not posing any restriction on the rights of those who are not men, the ACLU
believes that there is no reason to not pursue more inclusive language in the constitution.
Cary Shaw, President of Humanists and Freethinkers of Fairfield County: Mr. Shaw
supports the removal of gendered and religious language from the state constitution. Mr.
Shaw believes that adding gender and religious neutral language would promote freedom,
tolerance and harmony and therefore welcome businesses to Connecticut, help create jobs,
and attract new residents.
George Unser: Mr. Unser supports the establishment of a commission to recommend the
removal of gendered language from the state constitution, as well as any religious language
or religious privilege. As a nonreligious person, Mr. Unser fears that the state constitution
does not provide him with the same rights that are specifically outlined for religious people in
our state constitution. In addition, Mr. Unser cites the growing nonreligious population in
Connecticut, with a recent Gallup poll finding that 42% of Connecticut voters identify as
nonreligious.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
None expressed.
Reported by: Trevor Hoffman Date: 03/29/2021
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