West Virginia bill defining gender is transphobic and 'political rubbish,' Democrats say

West Virginia’s Republican-led House of Delegates has overwhelmingly passed legislation to narrow the definitions of gender

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- West Virginia's Republican-supermajority House of Delegates overwhelmingly passed legislation Wednesday to narrow the definitions of gender that Democrats label as a dystopian bill that would give women no additional rights and is a way for the GOP to suppress transgender people.

The bill passed on an 87-12 vote and now goes to the GOP-dominated Senate.

“I cannot believe we’re doing this on Valentine’s Day,” said Democratic Del. Kayla Young, of Kanawha County.

The legislation says “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.

During a public hearing at the state Capitol last week, dozens of speakers condemned the “Women’s Bill of Rights," with many transgender people saying it promoted transphobia. All 11 House Democrats spoke during a lengthy debate Wednesday and voted against the bill. Kanawha County Del. Mike Pushkin, chair of the state Democratic Party, even made a motion afterward to amend the bill's title to the “Women's Bill of Wrongs.” The motion was rejected.