Capitol Beat: West Virginians speak out in-favor and against “Women’s Bill of Rights”

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WVVA) - Thursday marked the midway point in this year’s 60-day legislative session in Charleston. Among some energetic moments, some early-morning public testimony on House Bill 5243, dubbed the Women’s Bill of Rights, proved memorable.

If made law, according to the bill’s text, the Women’s Bill of Rights would “Bring clarity, certainty, and uniformity to the laws of the state regarding sex discrimination, equality of the sexes, and benefits or services specifically provided to males and to females.”

The bill also looks to define the terms “Male” and “Female” as assigned at birth, excluding “gender identity” as a substitute.

“It’s been so hard across the US to define what a man and a woman is, and I think we need to have that definition,” said Del. Kathie Hess Crouse (R-Putnam.)

Del. Hess Crouse is the bill’s lead sponsor -- and while working to clarify the sex of West Virginians in state code, she says the bill would ensure spaces like bathrooms are limited to people assigned the same sex at birth.

“Protecting single sex spaces, be it male or female, it doesn’t matter. We just want to protect those women. I’ll speak from the woman’s point of view. We have a right to privacy,” said Del. Hess Crouse.

On Thursday, however, opponents passionately pushed-back.

“It is an insult to propose a bill that only serves to push a hateful agenda. It’s no surprise to me that this bill doesn’t address violence, menstrual healthcare and breastfeeding equity, nor does it care about protecting incarcerated women, immigrant women or women of color,” said one West Virginian giving public testimony.

Another resident said “This bill ignores the medical and scientific studies that affirm intersex and transgender peoples’ identities in favor of a much more rigid and outdated western world idea that many cultures and identities within our state and country do not align with.”

But with lots of apparent support for the bill among delegates, those testifying against the bill were aware Thursday that it’s an uphill battle.

“I think that they heard our message, and whether they agree with it or not is up to them to decide,” said Aaryn Bonyak.

“There’s hardly any of them here, so no, they don’t care to hear this. But we still need to speak up against it,” said Bill Lepp.

As for the other side of Thursday’s testimony, one West Virginian said “sex is biological, not how you feel. This is a physical issue not an emotional or an affirmation issue,” adding after Thursday’s hearing -- “I do see where the trans community will feel that it’s against them. But it’s biology…and to act like that’s not science, to act like that’s negotiable is ridiculous.”

As of Thursday night, the Women’s Bill of Rights remained in the House Committee on the Judiciary, but it was clear support among Republicans is strong moving forward.

In other legislation -- House Bill 4851 now sits in the State Senate after overwhelming approval from the House of Delegates on Thursday. The bill looks to allow schools to hire their own Security Officers. Before its passage, however -- Delegates voted to adopt an amendment to remove the words “Systemic” and “Individual” in regards to racism.

If signed into law, potential security officers would still be required to go through training involving awareness of racism -- but now, “Systemic” and “Individual” will be removed from the description.

The topic brought out some passion from opposing lawmakers -- with Del. Shawn Fluharty (D-Ohio) saying “It’s just puzzling to me. We take a bill intended for kids safety in schools. We are amending this to lower standards because you don’t like the words systemic racism?”

Those supporting the amendment, however, say calling systems themselves racist, is wrong.

“Racism does in fact occur. Black on white racism, white on Black racism. And any time you remove god from the hearts of man, you will never be able to get racism out of our society. But to suggest racism is actually a part of our government processes, I think it’s ludicrous.,” said Del. Todd Longanacre (R-Greenbrier.)

Again, after Thursday’s passage -- House Bill 4851 now sits in the State Senate.

WVVA will continue to follow this legislation and more as our Capitol Beat reporting continues into the final stretch of 2024′s legislative session.

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