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

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Source: Associated Press

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

BY JOHN RABY
Updated 4:32 PM EST, February 14, 2024

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — 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. ...

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Read more: https://apnews.com/article/west-virginia-womens-rights-bill-f12cdbbb21b55f9bd10c6ac75e68a366