The words women's equality and abortion, especially when connected in the same paragraph, seem to provoke an unfortunate conditioned reflex from some members of the state Legislature.
Perhaps they see such words and don't read any further. We should expect more from our representatives. I hope we can persuade Senate Republican leader Dean Skelos and others who have responded so heatedly to the women's equality agenda to consider the proposal in full.
I hope he will consider the fact that a woman's right to make personal, private decisions about pregnancy and parenthood, including the decision to have an abortion, is supported by the majority of New Yorkers and the majority of Americans and that individuals in the workplace need to be paid based on the work they do, not according to their gender.
THALIA CASSUTO
Spencertown