Elkins City Council votes to become 21st community in WV to adopt local LGBTQ+ protections

ELKINS, West Virginia – Members of the Elkins City Council voted 8-2 Thursday evening to adopt a local fairness law. Elkins becomes the 21st community in West Virginia, and the first in Randolph County, to adopt these protections.

Local fairness laws prohibit discrimination in employment, housing, and public services based on various characteristics, including, race, religion, color, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and more. Elkins’ City Council first considered adopting these protections a decade ago. Katy Ross, a community member of Elkins, petitioned the city council to revisit the issue and update city code.

“I am deeply pleased with the City Council’s decision to pass Ordinance 348,” Ross said. “This is a historic step for our community, and one that has been a long time coming. Ten years ago, many of us began advocating for protections like this, leading to the adoption of a nondiscrimination resolution in 2015. Tonight’s decision builds on that work, ensuring that all people who live and work in Elkins are explicitly protected under the law. I have always been proud to call Elkins my home, and I’m grateful that our city’s laws now reflect the welcoming spirit our town has long embodied.”

Community members and leaders partnered with Fairness West Virginia to raise awareness about the lack of protections fo LGBTQ+ people. More than 30 businesses across the city signed on to support the ordinance.

Cody Thompson, a member of Elkins’ City Council and former state Delegate, celebrated the adoption as a major win for his community.

“I am very proud that our council took the momentous step in ensuring fairness, dignity, and respect for our residents, visitors, and businesses.  Discrimination in any form goes against the spirit of who we are as a community and the vision we share for a city that values equality and opportunity for all,” Council Member Thompson said. “This ordinance is about ensuring that Elkins continues to be a place where everyone feels safe and respected. Where people can work, live, and visit without fear of being treated unfairly. It also demonstrates to residents, visitors, and businesses alike that Elkins stands firmly for fairness, inclusion, and progress.”

West Virginia lawmakers have still failed to adopt statewide protections that prohibit discrimination. Fairness West Virginia has been working for more than a decade to update state law to protect LGBTQ+ people.

“It’s always an exciting day when a new community adopts a local fairness law,” said Andrew Schneider, executive director of Fairness West Virginia. “But as exciting as this is, it’s an important reminder that our work is not finished. I hope our lawmakers see West Virginia is ready to have these adoptions adopted across the board. In West Virginia, we believe in treating each other the way we want to be treated. That means you shouldn’t get fired, evicted, or denied service just because of who you are or who you love.”

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Please direct questions and interview requests, please email 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.