New Report Card Tracks Years of LGBTQ+ Votes, Raises Questions About Legislative Priorities in West Virginia
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 15, 2026
CHARLESTON, West Virginia — Fairness West Virginia today released the 2026 edition of its WV Equality Report Card, a comprehensive review of how state lawmakers have voted on LGBTQ+ issues from 2021 through the present.
Unlike traditional scorecards that focus on a single legislative session, this report provides a multi-year record of votes, offering West Virginians a broader view of how their elected officials approach LGBTQ+ legislation over time. The findings come amid growing frustration among voters who say the Legislature is too focused on divisive social issues instead of addressing the state’s most pressing challenges.
“West Virginians are paying attention, and they’re tired,” said Andrew Schneider, executive director of Fairness West Virginia. “They’re tired of watching lawmakers spend year after year on bills that don’t lower costs, don’t fix our roads, don’t improve our schools, and don’t make life better for families. This report card gives people the tools to see exactly who is driving those priorities.”
The WV Equality Report Card tracks key votes on legislation impacting LGBTQ+ West Virginians, compiling them into an accessible, public-facing resource. By covering multiple legislative sessions, the report highlights patterns in voting behavior that might otherwise go unnoticed in year-to-year coverage.
“This isn’t just about one issue,” Schneider added. “It’s about whether our leaders are focused on the real problems people are facing every day. When lawmakers repeatedly prioritize political distractions over kitchen-table issues, voters deserve to know.”
The report is now available to the public and allows residents to look up their legislators and review their voting records on key bills.
Fairness West Virginia encourages members of the LGBTQ+ community and its allies to explore the report and stay informed about how their elected officials are representing them in Charleston.
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Please direct questions and interview requests to Jack Jarvis, Communications Director, at jack@fairnesswv.org
Fairness West Virginia is the statewide civil rights advocacy organization dedicated to fair treatment and civil rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer West Virginians. Our mission is to ensure LGBTQ+ people can be open, honest and safe at home, at work, and in the community. We are open to everyone who believes in fundamental fairness.
