The culture wars hit Hartford on Friday.

As President Donald Trump targets "woke" ideology and "anti-Christian bias," advocates urged Connecticut lawmakers to add abortion and LGBTQ protections to the state constitution.

Opponents argued the amendment could open the door to late-term abortions and gender reassignment surgeries for young children, but supporters insisted that existing restrictions would not change.

Lawmakers heard emotional pleas from transgender youth.

“Sometimes I worry for myself and other transgender and queer patients like me, knowing that in some parts of the country, we could be denied critical care because of who we are,” said Ash Morgan Modica.

State law guarantees same-sex marriage and anti-discrimination protections for the gay, lesbian and trans community. The right to an abortion has been guaranteed for 35 years.

But as the Trump administration aggressively pursues an “anti-woke” agenda, advocates said Connecticut needs to go further and lock those protections into the state constitution.

“With the recent executive orders, I feel like my rights are under attack every day,” said Lucy Autumnsong.

Several states, including New York and Vermont, have already amended their constitutions since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.

Lawmakers are considering amending the state constitution to protect “terminating a pregnancy; sexual orientation; gender identity and expression; and related health care." That includes abortion, contraception and fertility treatments.

In past years, the idea got a lukewarm response from reproductive rights groups like Planned Parenthood. But this year, they are pushing for an amendment.

“The overturning of Roe has incited a public health, economic, social and racial justice crisis across the country,” said Liz Gustafson, the state director of Reproductive Equity Now.

Lawmakers also heard plenty of resistance from abortion opponents.

“Murder and child mutilation should not be sanctioned,” said Melissa Manion, who underwent an abortion but now lobbies against the procedure.

Opponents fear the amendment would open the door to late-term abortions.

“I think it’s pretty clear that it would effectively enshrine in the constitution, as you mentioned, a right to an abortion right up to the date of birth,” said state Sen. Rob Sampson (R-Wolcott).

Supporters said Connecticut law won’t change. Right now, most abortions are banned after fetal viability – around 24-26 weeks.

“The constitutional amendment itself would not change what we have on statute regarding abortion,” said Gustafson.

“Yes it would, because the laws on the book could be deemed unconstitutional,” responded state Rep. Gale Mastrofrancesco (R-Wolcott).

Others claimed the amendment would lead to parents forcing gender affirming procedures on minors, like puberty blockers or hormone therapy.

“The science itself is telling us that these medical interventions are being questioned internationally,” said Jamie Reed, with the LGBT Courage Coalition.

A new executive order threatens to withhold federal funding from hospitals performing what it calls “chemical and surgical mutilation” on anyone under 19.

Connecticut has vowed to fight another order banning trans girls from school sports.

“We care about all people and all kids here,” Attorney General William Tong said. “I’m going to push back on any attempts to cut funding that provides health care to anybody, including people who are trans and are receiving treatment."

It may be too late to fend off restrictions from the Trump administration. Amending the state constitution is a long and complicated process – and it ultimately requires voter approval.

If lawmakers pass the amendment by a supermajority, it would appear on the Nov. 2026 ballot. But if it passes by just a simple majority, lawmakers would have to approve it again in 2027 – and voters wouldn't see a ballot question until Nov. 2028, just months before Trump leaves office.

The Legislature’s Government Administration and Elections Committee is currently considering the amendment.

You can submit written testimony HERE.