West Virginia Governor Signs ‘Riley Gaines Act’ Protecting Women’s Private Spaces
West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey has signed the Riley Gaines Act, codifying terms like “male” and “female” in law to protect single-sex spaces.
The Riley Gaines Act (SB 456), according to the governor’s office:
- Enshrines the definitions of “male” and “female” in law;
- Protects the existence of women’s single-sex spaces, such as locker rooms, bathrooms, rape crisis centers, dormitories and prisons.
“Today we sent a strong message that West Virginia stands with women,” said Governor Patrick Morrisey. “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.”
The bill was overwhelmingly approved by the West Virginia Senate in a 32-1 vote, and in the West Virginia House of Delegates by a 90-8 vote.
SB 456 “reaffirm(s) the longstanding meaning of sex, male, and female in state law” and preserves women’s restrooms, multiple occupancy restrooms or changing rooms, and sleeping quarters for women in facilities where women have been “traditionally afforded privacy and safety from acts of abuse, harassment, sexual assault and violence committed by men.”
Gaines, who was present for the signing ceremony, applauded the governor’s decision to sign the bill.
“Under Governor Morrisey’s leadership, the West Virginia legislature has executed his priority of defining sex-based words and protecting women’s spaces by swiftly passing this legislation,” Gaines said, adding,
Gaines also posted about the bill on X:
Alliance Defending Freedom Legal Counsel Sara Beth Nolan also issued a statement lauding the bill’s passage.
“States have a duty to protect the privacy, safety, and dignity of women and girls,” Nolan said.
Legislation protecting women’s private spaces – particularly from men pretending to be women – shouldn’t be necessary. Unfortunately, it is.
Therefore, we thank Gov. Morrisey, Riley Gaines and all West Virginia state legislators involved in enacting the Riley Gaines Act. Let’s hope, pray and advocate for more states to quickly follow suit.
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