Fairness West Virginia

Did you know that back when he was a high school teacher in 1999, Gov. Tim Walz served as the founding advisor for his school's Gay-Straight Alliance? He understood what it meant to have the school's straight football coach publicly supporting the group.

"As a former teacher, he's always seen LGBTQ+ rights through the lens of welcoming everyone in the classroom," said Kat Rohn, executive director of Outfront Minnesota. “This approach extends to his governance, where he believes in the value and dignity of every individual, regardless of their identity.”

Then, in 2021, Gov. Walz signed an executive order banning the dangerous and discredited practice of conversion therapy, and he also signed a bill to make Minnesota a trans refuge state last year.

Minnesota LGBTQ+ org director: Tim Walz is ‘a consistent advocate’ Kat Rohn of Outfront Minnesota says her state’s governor is a strong pick for Kamala Harris’ vice presidential running mate.

LGBTQ+ athletes are killing it at this year's Olympics, and we love to see it!! Follow Outsports for all the LGBTQ+ news out of Paris.

All of the LGBTQ Olympians at the 2024 Paris Summer Games - Outsports Meet the LGBTQ Olympians at the 2024 Paris Summer Games. Find medal counts, read their profiles, and follow their remarkable journeys.

West Virginia has a moral obligation to care for its vulnerable and marginalized citizens, and Patrick Morrisey's decision to appeal this case to the U.S. Supreme Court is at odds with this sacred duty. Gender-affirming care is medically necessary, and Patrick Morrisey has no business deciding what health care people can receive.

Morrisey is trying to say that this decision will cost the state too much money and will be too financially burdensome on the state's Medicaid program. That's a lie. The truth is that other states that have enacted inclusive policies to cover this type of care don't see significant cost increases. And, to the extent that West Virginia Medicaid is struggling, we need only to blame the Republican-controlled Legislature for underfunding the program — not the dozens of transgender people who may use the program in the future.

You can't underfund a program for years only to then blame a marginalized group for its problems. Patrick Morrisey's crusade to end protections for LGBTQ+ people needs to end.

West Virginia is asking the US Supreme Court to consider transgender surgery Medicaid coverage case West Virginia is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review rulings that found the state’s refusal to cover certain health care for transgender people with government-sponsored insurance is discriminatory.

The Contemporary American Theater Festival, one of the top professional new play festivals in the country, is located in historic Shepherdstown, WV. This year, three of the Festival's offerings showcase resilient and diverse LGBTQIA+ stories. Use code "PRIDE24" at checkout to unlock a special $25 ticket!

🏳️‍🌈Calling LGBTQ+ Youth: Your Voice Matters! Help shape national policy by completing GLSEN's 2024 National School Climate Survey. Share your experiences and advocate for change!

Take the survey: https://www.glsen.org/research/2024-national-school-climate-survey

We're celebrating Nonbinary Awareness Week! 💛🤍💜🖤

Let's honor and uplift the beautiful diversity of gender identities. To all our nonbinary friends and family, your existence is powerful and valid. Keep shining brightly!

We're deeply saddened to hear about the loss of Robert Sheets, a pillar of our community. Robert was a dedicated public servant, and championed many causes throughout his life. His passion, courage, and dedication have left an indelible mark on so many of us. Rest in power, Robert.

Looking to change your legal name? Have no fear, our guide can help!

Fairness West Virginia releases updated Name & Gender Change Guide Fairness WV releases updated Name & Gender Change Guide in light of changes to the process for updating birth certificates.

Our friends at the American Theater Festival l are gearing up for their opening weekend, and we can't wait to be there to support them! Members of our staff and board will be there for opening night on July 6, and we hope you can join us! Three of the CATF's offerings showcase resilient and diverse LGBTQIA+ stories, so be sure to check out what this amazing group has to offer.

Use code PRIDE24 at checkout to unlock special $25 tickets! Check out the lineup here: https://catf.org/

As we commemorate the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, we must continue the legacy set forth by those before us. Our work is only complete once we achieve equality for all.

Today, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear arguments in a case challenging a state law banning gender-affirming care for transgender youth in Tennessee. This case could have major impacts to the availability of medically-necessary healthcare for young people across the country.

In a column published this morning in USA Today, the father of a trans woman says there's nothing conservative about blocking access to her care.

"I was a registered Republican for decades, and I know there is nothing conservative about interposing the state between a child and their parents and physicians who know best how to care for that child," the father writes. "Politicians should stay out of families’ medical decisions, especially when those decisions are in accord with medical consensus."

I'm the parent of a trans daughter. There's nothing conservative about blocking her care. I was a registered Republican for decades, and I know there is nothing conservative about the state coming between a child and their parents.

Celebrating freedom and justice for all! On this Juneteenth, we honor the resilience of Black LGBTQ+ individuals and their contributions to the fight for equality. For those who don’t know, Juneteenth marks the day when enslaved Black Americans in Texas were notified of their freedom in 1865, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed.

Let's continue marching forward together towards a future where every voice is heard and every love is celebrated. We’re not free until we’re ALL free.

Eight years ago, the LGBTQ+ community faced an unimaginable tragedy. Today, we honor the 49 lives lost and countless others affected by the Pulse nightclub shooting. As we reflect on this somber anniversary, let's recommit ourselves to creating a world where everyone can live freely and authentically, without fear of violence or discrimination because of who they are or who they love.

Eight years ago, a man filled with hate walked into Pulse Nightclub — an LGBTQ safe space — and stole 49 beautiful souls from us. Many were young, q***r people of color. And they all had their vibrant futures stolen from them in an act of hate.

This attack, like the onslaught of anti-LGBTQ policies and bigoted rhetoric sweeping the nation, was meant to scare us back into the closet. It was meant to leave LGBTQ people wondering if it’s safe to be ourselves. But, with our community under siege, we chose to be unapologetically visible and refused to be erased.

This moment in history calls for that same courage. We must recommit to honoring the victims of Pulse with action and demand an end to hate-fueled violence and the policies that embolden it. Use to share how you're working to create a better, safer world for all. ❤️‍🩹🕊️🏳️‍🌈

Stanley Almodovar III, 23 years old
Amanda Alvear, 25 years old
Oscar A Aracena-Montero, 26 years old
Rodolfo Ayala-Ayala, 33 years old
Antonio Davon Brown, 29 years old
Darryl Roman Burt II, 29 years old
Angel L. Candelario-Padro, 28 years old
Juan Chavez Martinez, 25 years old
Luis Daniel Conde, 39 years old
Cory James Connell, 21 years old
Tevin Eugene Crosby, 25 years old
Deonka Deidra Drayton, 32 years old
Simon Adrian Carrillo Fernandez, 31 years old
Leroy Valentin Fernandez, 25 years old
Mercedez Marisol Flores, 26 years old
Peter O. Gonzalez-Cruz, 22 years old
Juan Ramon Guerrero, 22 years old
Paul Terrell Henry, 41 years old
Frank Hernandez, 27 years old
Miguel Angel Honorato, 30 years old
Javier Jorge-Reyes, 40 years old
Jason Benjamin Josaphat, 19 years old
Eddie Jamoldroy Justice, 30 years old
Anthony Luis Laureano Disla, 25 years old
Christopher “Drew” Andrew Leinonen, 32 years old
Alejandro Barrios Martinez, 21 years old
Brenda Lee Marquez McCool, 49 years old
Gilberto Ramon Silva Menendez, 25 years old
KJ Morris, 37 years old
Akyra Monet Murray, 18 years old
Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo, 20 years old
Geraldo A. Ortiz-Jimenez, 25 years old
Eric Ivan Ortiz-Rivera, 36 years old
Joel Rayon Paniagua, 32 years old
Jean Carlos Mendez Perez, 35 years old
Enrique L. Rios, Jr., 25 years old
Jean C. Nives Rodriguez, 27 years old
Xavier Emmanuel Serrano Rosado, 35 years old
Christopher Joseph Sanfeliz, 24 years old
Yilmary Rodriguez Solivan, 24 years old
Edward Sotomayor Jr., 34 years old
Shane Evan Tomlinson, 33 years old
Martin Benitez Torres, 33 years old
Jonathan Antonio Camuy Vega, 24 years old
Juan P. Rivera Velazquez, 37 years old
Luis S. Vielma, 22 years old
Franky Jimmy Dejesus Velazquez, 50 years old
Luis Daniel Lestat Wilson-Leon, 37 years old
Jerald “Jerry” Arthur Wright, 31 years old

A federal judge ruled yesterday that Florida's gender-affirming care ban is unconstitutional and PERMANENTLY blocked the state from enforcing it. This law restricted medically-necessary care for transgender youth AND adults. This decision is a major win!

“The state has no place interfering in people’s private medical decisions, and I’m relieved that I can once again get the healthcare that I need here in Florida,” said Lucien Hamel, one of the plaintiffs who brought this case.

Judge calls DeSantis ban on transgender care unconstitutional A federal judge blocked most parts of the law propelled by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis that banned gender-affirming care for children, and limited it for adults.

We can’t wait to see this amazing project when it’s finished! Thanks to all the volunteers making this possible!! 💙💛

We’ve had such a BLAST at this year’s Rainbow Pride of West Virginia festival! Thanks to everybody who stopped by to say hello! 💙💛

Couldn’t make it? Don’t worry! Pride events are happening all month across the state. Check our calendar to find the next Pride event in your community: https://fairnesswv.org/pride

We're so excited to share that a member of our team, our very own Paula Kerner, is one of this year's Power of One honorees for Rainbow Pride of West Virginia! Paula works tirelessly to make West Virginia schools a safer, more supportive place for LGBTQ+ students, and her work is paying off!

Are you ready to celebrate Pride Month? You can celebrate Pride across West Virginia all month. Visit our website to find a full calendar of events!

Schedule of 2024 Pride Events across West Virginia Celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride in West Virginia! Every year, communities across the Mountain State celebrate Pride Month with celebrations, parades, picnics, and more. And every year, our team travels across the […]

Thank you, Delegate Larry Rowe, for always standing with West Virginia's LGBTQ+ community! Del. Rowe earned a perfect score on the WV Equality Report Card, which means he hasn't taken a single vote to oppose LGBTQ+ rights since the report card began in 2021. We appreciate you, Del. Rowe!

To check out the full legislative report card, visit fairnesswv.org/reportcard

Thank you, Senator Mike Caputo, for always standing with West Virginia's LGBTQ+ community! Sen. Caputo earned a perfect score on the WV Equality Report Card, which means he hasn't taken a single vote to oppose LGBTQ+ rights since the report card began in 2021. We appreciate you, Sen. Caputo!

To check out the full legislative report card, visit fairnesswv.org/reportcard

Thank you, Delegate Evan Hansen, for always standing with West Virginia's LGBTQ+ community! Del. Hansen earned a perfect score on the WV Equality Report Card, which means he hasn't taken a single vote to oppose LGBTQ+ rights since the report card began in 2021. We appreciate you, Del. Hansen!

To check out the full legislative report card, visit fairnesswv.org/reportcard

A poll conducted last year showed that just 17 percent of Americans — and only 29 percent of Republicans — believe that politicians should focus on restricting access to gender-affirming care. And yet GOP politicians have made pushing anti-trans policies central to their campaigns.

West Virginia Governor’s Race Is a Battle of Who Can Be the Most Anti-Trans The rhetoric is front-and-center in the state’s Republican primary, where ads have focused on who will be the most restrictive of LGBTQ+ rights.

Thank you, Delegate Mike Pushkin, for always standing with West Virginia's LGBTQ+ community! Del. Pushkin earned a perfect score on the WV Equality Report Card, which means he hasn't taken a single vote to oppose LGBTQ+ rights since the report card began in 2021. We appreciate you!

To check out the full legislative report card, visit fairnesswv.org/reportcard

Thank you, Delegate Anitra Hamilton, for always standing with West Virginia's LGBTQ+ community! Del. Hamilton is new to the WV Legislature, but she earned a perfect score on the WV Equality Report Card. We appreciate her support!

To check out the full legislative report card, visit fairnesswv.org/reportcard