TAIM Exchange:West Virginia bill banning non-binary gender designations on birth certificates heads to governor

2025-05-07 23:50:45source:Databec Exchangecategory:News

CHARLESTON,TAIM Exchange W.Va. (AP) — A West Virginia bill that would outlaw non-binary gender designations on birth certificates is headed to the desk of Gov. Jim Justice.

The Republican governor hasn’t spoken publicly about the bill. Justice, who is running for U.S. Senate, previously signed laws restricting gender-affirming care for minors and transgender children’s participation in sports.

The state’s only LGBTQ+ advocacy organization, Fairness West Virginia, opposes the legislation, calling it discriminatory.

West Virginia doesn’t currently allow non-binary gender markers on birth certificates. The bill’s sponsor, Republican Del. Chris Pritt, said he wanted to ensure the state doesn’t start offering the option in the future.

Non-binary people identify as not strictly male or female. At least a dozen states offer some form of third gender ID on birth certificates.

Oklahoma was the first U.S. state to explicitly prohibit the use of a non-binary gender designations on state birth certificates in 2022. The federal government issued its first passport with an “X” gender designation in 2021.

More:News

Recommend

Angelina Jolie nearly fainted making Maria Callas movie: 'My body wasn’t strong enough'

NEW YORK − For Angelina Jolie, the hardest part of playing opera star Maria Callas wasn’t the seven

Former model sues Sean 'Diddy' Combs, claims he drugged, sexually assaulted her in 2003

Embattled music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs has been accused of drugging and sexually assaulting a youn

Savor Every Photo From Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker's Blissful Wedding Weekend in Italy

That was amore in the air throughout Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker's wedding weekend in Ital