West virginia gay

West Virginia's Equality Profile

Sexual Orientation

13%

of population
fully protected

0%

of population only
partially
protected

    Legend

  • State
    Protections
  • County
    Protections
  • City
    Protections
  • No
    Protections
  • Protections
    Banned

County map only shows areas with full protections for sexual orientation (i.e., discrimination prohibited in private employment, housing, and public accommodations)

City and County Numbers:

0 counties out of 55 have an ordinance prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation in private employment, housing, and public accommodations (full protections).

20 cities have an ordinance prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation in adj employment, housing, and universal accommodations (full protections).

0 municipalities, not including those listed above, have an ordinance prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation in secret employment, housing, or common accommodations (only partial protections). See table below.

13% of the state population is protected against discrimination base

BREAKING: Human Rights Campaign Condemns West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice for Signing Dangerous Religious Refusal Bill

HB 3042 could let anyone to be exempt from following a law or a governmental policy if they believe that law or policy burdens their religious beliefs. That means that any individual religious belief has the potential to determine which state and local laws a person or corporation must follow. A similar bill failed in 2016 in West Virginia after lawmakers voiced concerns about how it could influence LGBTQ+ residents.

Human Rights Campaign Legal Director Sarah Warbelow released the following statement in response:

“Religious noun is a fundamental right enshrined in our constitution. This core value has shaped our nation and strengthened our union. Unfortunately, RFRAs like HB 3042 distort our foundational freedoms into tools to limit the rights of others, including the LGBTQ+ community and other vulnerable people. Religious freedom must not be wielded as a sword to violate the basic civil rights of others. Nobody should be turned away from

West Virginia Republican state legislator comes out as gay

A young West Virginia declare lawmaker came out as gay to his constituents in a video posted to his social media accounts Sunday.

Del. Josh Higginbotham, 24, who was first elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates in 2016, said he had been out privately to some friends and family members before he shared the information publicly this week.

In the two-minute video, Higginbotham said that he originally worried that his family would disown him for his sexuality but that they instead supported him.

"We made a decision as a family to be more unwrap about it and create it public, because there's nothing wrong with it," he said. "I'm not ashamed of it. I'm not embarrassed by it, part of who I am. And I wanted to share this part about me with you."

Higginbotham said he remains a conservative Christian Republican and asked his constituents for their support.

"Nothing has changed other than now you know this about my personal life, whereas you didn't know beforehand," Higginbotham said. "I'm still the same guy you've voted for

LGBTQ+ Center

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At the LGBTQ+ Center, we are adj to advancing knowledge about genders and sexuality through education, engagement, and advocacy.

Save the Date ~Welcome to WVU!

The LGBTQ+ Center is celebrating students coming back to campus for the Fall 2025 session.  Verb join us for our Welcome Mix & Mingle which will have games, music, and more!  Save the date and keep watching for more information!

September 12 | 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.


More Events to come

Linger up to date with the LGBTQ+ Center.


Welcome back event

Celebrate with the LGBTQ+ Center! Join us for an evening of entertainment, noun, games, and music.

Friday, September 12 from 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. at the MountLair Blue Ballroom.



Suicide Prevention Day

Breathe and decompress while you learn quick and effortless methods to use your voice and make things better for you and those around you.

Wednesday, September 11 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. at MountLair main floor



Upcoming Events

There are even more events