CHARELSTON, W.Va. – SB 456, which codifies the definition of “men” and “women” in West Virginia, has been signed into law with the stroke of Governor Patrick Morrisey’s pen.
It bans transgender people from accessing spaces like bathrooms, locker rooms, shelters and prisons that correspond with their gender identity.
“West Virginia will not bow down to radical gender ideology – we are going to lead with common sense, and the Riley Gaines Act does exactly that,” said Gov. Morrisey.
The bill was one of the more controversial pieces of legislation this session.
“When lawmakers police who is and isn’t a woman, when they dictate what bodies are acceptable, when they decide who gets to be safe, we all lose,” said Fairness WV Communications Director Jack Jarvis in a statement.
Last session, a nearly identical bill titled “The Women’s Bill of Rights” was unsuccessful in reaching the governor’s desk.
“Well the name might be different this year, but it still doesn’t help women at all. Back then, and still now, this bill does nothing to protect reproductive freedom, equal pay, affordable childcare, menstrual equity, or any other issue to address the real problems facing women in our state,” said Jarvis.
The lead sponsor of last year’s failed bill believes the passage of this law will protect women in West Virginia
“I am thrilled that the West Virginia Legislature has definitively stood with women with the passage of this legislation,” said Delegate Kathie Hess Crouse (R-Putnam)
Others in the House feel this bill should not have been a priority this session.
“This bill has gone from absurd to outright dangerous. At a time when over 160 West Virginia coal miners have just lost their jobs, and major economic projects like the hydrogen hub have stalled, Republicans are wasting time policing bathrooms and invading the privacy of West Virginia families. ” said House Minority Whip Shawn Fluharty (I-Ohio)
How the state intends to make sure all “single-sex” spaces do not include the participation of people whose gender identity does not correlate with their sex at birth is not defined in the bill.
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