West Virginia Passes 'Riley Gaines Act' to Define Sex-Based Terms in Law

The law, named after former swimmer Riley Gaines, aims to protect female-only spaces and sports by codifying definitions of 'man' and 'woman' into state law.

West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey signed the 'Riley Gaines Act,' codifying the definitions of 'male' and 'female' to protect female-only spaces and sports.
The law seeks to safeguard spaces like bathrooms, locker rooms, and sports teams for biological women, citing safety and fairness concerns.
The legislation was inspired in part by a 14-year-old West Virginia athlete who refused to compete against a transgender competitor in a middle school event.
Riley Gaines, a former swimmer and advocate for women’s sports, attended the signing and called the law a significant step in defending women's rights.
Despite growing support for similar measures in other states, opposition remains, with critics arguing the law unnecessarily targets transgender individuals.