The word "sex" was indeed introduced into Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act by Howard Smith (D, VA), a segregationist. Smith would have been happy to see the bill sunk, but the story is a bit more complicated. THREAD 1/
Smith proposed adding "sex" at the urging of members of the National Women’s Party (Smith was pro-ERA, largely bc he was anti-union) who wanted the provision considered, but who also suggested to Smith that the inclusion of sex might sink the entire bill. 2/
Rep Martha Griffiths (D, MI)--responsible for SO MUCH women's rights leg--had considered offering the amendment, but upon learning of Smith’s plans she
withdrew, knowing that Smith’s sponsorship would encourage other conservatives and Southerners to lend their support. 3/
withdrew, knowing that Smith’s sponsorship would encourage other conservatives and Southerners to lend their support. 3/
Smith later claimed he introduced the "sex" amendment as a joke, and it was greeted with laughter & ridicule in chambers. Yet, with the encouragement of most
congresswomen, many Republicans & some Northern Dems joined the Southern Dems in passing the amendment. 4/
congresswomen, many Republicans & some Northern Dems joined the Southern Dems in passing the amendment. 4/
When it was considered in the Senate, several members,
led by Everett Dirksen (R, IL), attempted to remove the word sex, but LBJ came out in support of the sex provision in April of 1964, and sex remained in the version that he signed into law the following summer. 5/
led by Everett Dirksen (R, IL), attempted to remove the word sex, but LBJ came out in support of the sex provision in April of 1964, and sex remained in the version that he signed into law the following summer. 5/
The addition of "sex" to the 1964 CRA is arguably the most important legislative achievement for women's equality in the 20th century, and now an achievement for gay and trans rights as well. Yes, introduced by a segregationist but... 6/
BECAUSE women's rights advocates (the National Women's Party, founded by suffragist Alice Paul in the 1920s) had laid the groundwork for DECADES and BECAUSE women members of Congress were there to shepherd it through the long legislative process. 7/
The EEOC orginally declined to enforce the "sex" provision ("conceived out of wedlock" one opponent claimed). When the 1966 National Conference of Commissions on the Status of Women voted down a plank demanding the EEOC do so, 28 women, including Betty Friedan, met... 8/n
...in a hotel room and founded the National Organization for Women. To see this provision used today to insure employment rights for the LGBTQ community demonstrates the truth of Fannie Lou Hamer's words:
Nobody's free until everybody's free.
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Nobody's free until everybody's free.
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