CHARLESTON, WV — Today, Independent Women applauds West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey for boldly standing with women and signing the “Riley Gaines Act” (SB 456/HB 2006)—modeled off of Independent Women’s Stand with Women Act—into law. Governor Morrisey introduced the landmark legislation as a priority during his State of the State Address, urging the West Virginia Legislature to stand with women. The Legislature successfully passed the bill with bipartisan support on Tuesday, and Morrisey wasted no time signing it into law the very next day.
Now signed into law by Governor Morrisey, the legislation:
- Fortifies the definitions of “male” and “female” terms in law;
- Protects the existence of women’s single-sex spaces, such as locker rooms, rape crisis centers, dormitories, and prisons; and
- Protects the integrity of sex-based data collection.
Independent Women Voice CEO Heather R. Higgins and Riley Gaines joined the governor today for a ceremonial signing of the Stand With Women legislation.
Governor Morrisey’s signature today delivers on the promise he made to West Virginians as Attorney General and a candidate for Governor when he signed Independent Women’s Stand With Women Commitment, which promises to “support legislation that preserves women’s equal opportunities and single-sex spaces.”
Morrisey has been a steadfast Stand With Women champion, standing shoulder to shoulder with female athletes who have lost out on opportunities due to males competing in women’s sports. In 2023, then serving as West Virginia Attorney General, Morrisey was one of the first Attorneys General to support Independent Women’s Stand With Women legislation. A year later, Morrisey officially signed the Stand With Commitment and penned a joint op-ed with Riley Gaines on the need to protect women’s equal opportunity and single-sex spaces in state law.
By signing this bill into law, Governor Morrisey is reaffirming his unwavering commitment to protecting women’s rights and ensuring West Virginia leads the way in safeguarding equal opportunities.
“Today we sent a strong message that West Virginia stands with women,” said Governor Patrick Morrisey. “West Virginia will not bow down to radical gender ideology – we are going to lead with common sense, and the Riley Gaines Act does exactly that. Thank you to Riley, the Independent Women’s Voice and girls around the country standing up for what is right.”
Independent Women Voice CEO Heather R. Higgins said, “I can personally attest that Governor Patrick Morrisey is one of the few conviction politicians who, long before it was politically popular, understood the attack on women and did something about it. As Attorney General, he fought for the equal opportunity of female athletes and recognized early the importance of codifying sex definitions in law. Then, when most politicians run away from pledges, Gov. Morrisey was unafraid to publicly sign Independent Women’s Voice’s ‘Stand with Women Commitment.’ As Governor, he has made standing with women a priority. Today Governor Morrisey signs this landmark legislation into law. West Virginians and Americans are better for his leadership.”
“Under Governor Morrisey’s leadership, the West Virginia legislature has executed his priority of defining sex-based words and protecting women’s spaces by swiftly passing this legislation,” said Riley Gaines, host of OutKick’s “Gaines for Girls” podcast. “I am truly honored to support such a strong piece of legislation, and I’m excited to celebrate this win along with West Virginian women and girls as it becomes law today. 2025 is the year for women’s rights in West Virginia and across America! Congratulations West Virginia on becoming the twelfth state to sign Stand with Women Legislation into law. Now, who’s next?”
West Virginia middle school track and field athlete Emmy Salerno, who took a stand and refused to compete against a male during her shot-put track and field championships, said, “Thanks to Governor Morrisey and the West Virginia legislature, I no longer have to worry about facing sex-discrimination. He stood by me as Attorney General, and now as Governor, he is fulfilling his promise to Stand with Women. I am grateful for Gov. Morrisey’s persistent leadership as a Stand with Women champion, fighting for the rights of women and girls across the state.”
West Virginia now joins Kansas, Tennessee, Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Arkansas, Alabama, Iowa, Indiana, and soon Montana in adopting laws inspired by Independent Women’s Stand With Women model, positively affecting the lives of over 22 million women and girls.
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