West Virginia's Equality Profile

Quick Facts About West Virginia

Percent of Adults (18+) Who are LGBTQ

Total LGBTQ Population (13+)

Percent of Workforce That is LGBTQ

Total LGBTQ Workers

Percent of LGBTQ Adults (25+) Raising Children

West Virginia's LGBTQ Policy Tally

West Virginia's LGBTQ Laws and Policies

Click on each issue for more information and to see where the state fits into the national landscape.

Local Nondiscrimination Ordinances

Sexual Orientation

of population fully protected

of population only partially protected

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

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

19 cities have an ordinance prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation in private employment, housing, and public accommodations (full protections).

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

13% of the state population is protected against discrimination based on sexual orientation in private employment, housing, and public accommodations (full protections).

An additional 0% of the state population is protected against discrimination based on sexual orientation in private employment, housing, or public accommodations (only partial protections).

Gender Identity

of population fully protected

of population only partially protected

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

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

19 cities have an ordinance prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity in private employment, housing, and public accommodations (full protections).

0 municipalities, not including those listed above, have an ordinance prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity in private employment, housing, or public accommodations (only partial protections). See table below.

13% of the state population is protected against discrimination based on gender identity in private employment, housing, and public accommodations (full protections).

An additional 0% of the state population is protected against discrimination based on gender identity in private employment, housing, or public accommodations (only partial protections).

NOTE: Only jurisdictions with ordinances that prohibit discrimination in private employment are listed. Other localities may have executive orders that apply to government employees and these are not listed. The level of enforcement of these ordinances may vary by jurisdiction. This information is constantly changing, and we welcome suggestions for additions or changes. For questions regarding ordinances or any other aspect of the state profile, please contact MAP at info@mapresearch.org.

This data was collected in collaboration with the Equality Federation and Fairness West Virginia and is maintained by MAP.

Local Conversion Therapy Ordinances

Conversion Therapy Bans

of population protected

0 counties out of 55 have an ordinance prohibiting conversion therapy for minors.

4 cities have an ordinance prohibiting conversion therapy for minors.

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BREAKING! SUPREME COURT DECISION AFFIRMS NONDISCRIMINATION LAWS IN MASTERPIECE CAKESHOP RULING

Sexual Orientation Policy Tally

The term “sexual orientation” is loosely defined as a person’s pattern of romantic or sexual attraction to people of the opposite sex or gender, the same sex or gender, or more than one sex or gender. Laws that explicitly mention sexual orientation primarily protect or harm lesbian, gay, and bisexual people. That said, transgender people who are lesbian, gay or bisexual can be affected by laws that explicitly mention sexual orientation.

Gender Identity Policy Tally

“Gender identity” is a person’s deeply-felt inner sense of being male, female, or something else or in-between. “Gender expression” refers to a person’s characteristics and behaviors such as appearance, dress, mannerisms and speech patterns that can be described as masculine, feminine, or something else. Gender identity and expression are independent of sexual orientation, and transgender people may identify as heterosexual, lesbian, gay or bisexual. Laws that explicitly mention “gender identity” or “gender identity and expression” primarily protect or harm transgender people. These laws also can apply to people who are not transgender, but whose sense of gender or manner of dress does not adhere to gender stereotypes.

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