WV: Sex defined as binary in state code, single-sex spaces restricted (Riley Gaines Act)
Enacted6/10
West Virginia · West Virginia SB 456 (2025) · Signed Mar 12, 2025
Impact 6/10
Senate Bill 456, the Riley Gaines Act, defines man and woman in West Virginia code based on sex at birth and does not recognize nonbinary identities. It restricts access to single-sex spaces including bathrooms, locker rooms, domestic violence shelters, and rape crisis centers according to those definitions. Governor Morrisey signed the bill, his stated first legislative priority, on March 12, 2025.
LGBTQ+Government & civil serviceTransgender / nonbinary
Sources
✓ Verified against primary sources 2026-08-16