A West Virginia 'Women's Bill of Rights' is an effort to suppress transgender people, critics say

Dozens of speakers have condemned a bill in the West Virginia Legislature that would narrow the definitions of gender

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Legislation in West Virginia to narrow the definitions of gender would give women no further rights and is a way for Republicans to suppress transgender people, speakers at a public hearing said Thursday.

Dozens of speakers condemned the “Women’s Bill of Rights” while a handful spoke in favor of it during the 45-minute hearing in the House chambers at the state Capitol.

The legislation says that “equal” does not mean “same” or “identical” with respect to equality of the sexes. It would define in state statues and official public policies that a person’s sex is determined at birth and that gender equity terms may not be substituted. It also would establish that certain single-sex environments, such as athletics, locker rooms and bathrooms, are not discriminatory.

Marshall University student Max Varney said the bill uses women's rights as a cover for transphobia.

“I stand before you as a transgender person in West Virginia. I am not a threat to the public, nor is my existence offensive," Varney said. "This bill is dehumanizing. It is unjust. And it is disgusting.