VICTORY! We defeated every anti-LGBTQ+ bill in WV’s legislative session

The 2026 legislative session has officially come to an end, and because of supporters like you, our community has a lot to celebrate.

This year, lawmakers introduced several bills that would have directly harmed LGBTQ+ West Virginians. Thanks to the tireless advocacy of Fairness West Virginia supporters across the state, we defeated every single anti-LGBTQ+ bill.

Together, we helped stop:

• A bill that would have overturned local fairness laws in 21 communities across West Virginia, protections that ensure LGBTQ+ people cannot be fired, evicted, or denied services simply for who they are.

• A bill targeting drag performances, which sought to restrict artistic expression and further stigmatize LGBTQ+ culture.

• A bill that would have criminalized transgender people for simply existing in public spaces, threatening trans West Virginians with criminal charges for using locker rooms and changing areas.

These proposals were serious threats to our community, but your voice, your advocacy, and your support made a difference. Together, we sent hundreds of emails to West Virginia lawmakers opposing these attacks.

But our work is far from over.

If you've been following us for a while, you'll know that legislative attacks on our community have been increasing year after year. So these bills will surely come back, but when they do, we'll be here, and we'll be ready to fight. 

If you believe in that work, if you want to make sure advocates are ready for the next fight, please consider making a contribution today. Your support helps power the advocacy, organizing, and education needed to defend LGBTQ+ people throughout the year.

Thank you for standing with us this legislative session. Victories like this are possible because of a community that refuses to give up on fairness.

Together, we will keep West Virginia moving forward.

Yours in Fairness,

Andrew Schneider
Executive Director