West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey signed the Riley Gaines Act into law, which protects women's spaces and codifies sex-based terms like 'male' and 'female' into the state law. The bill reaffirms the meanings of sex, male, and female in state law, and preserves women's private facilities for the sole use of women to prevent abuse and violence.
Key Points
The bill passed with strong support in both the Senate and House
Inspired by a protest against a transgender student athlete in a sporting event
Former collegiate swimmer Riley Gaines praised the legislation for protecting women's spaces
Pros
Protects women's spaces and privacy
Reaffirms the meanings of sex, male, and female in state law
Cons
May be seen as discriminatory towards transgender individuals
Could lead to legal challenges regarding gender identity rights