Fairness West Virginia

10/13/2026

Today is the last day to register to vote for the 2026 General Election next month! Your voice is your vote, and our rights hang in the balance with each election cycle.

There are plenty of options (and still plenty of time!) to check your registration status and update your registration or register for the first time. Check the comments for links.

To submit your registration online, you must have a valid West Virginia driver’s license or state-issued ID. Otherwise, you can fill out the application online at GoVoteWV.gov, but you’ll have to deliver it to your local county clerk’s office by the close of business today.

Already registered? Still check your registration status, especially if you haven’t voted in the last couple of elections. It is possible your registration has been purged from voter rolls, and you may need to re-register. Checking your registration online also provides you with information about your precinct and polling location.

Come out and vote! This year's General Election is Tuesday, Nov. 3.

10/12/2026

This year, National Coming Out Day happens to be one day before the deadline to register to vote in West Virginia.

The Human Rights Campaign reported last week more than half of LGBTQ+ adults (56%) say the current political climate makes them less likely to be open about who they are, but LGBTQ+ people continue to build visibility and support for equality.

🗳️One way to build support in West Virginia is to check your voter registration status. If you’re not registered or need to update your registration, you have until Tuesday, Oct. 13 (that’s TOMORROW!), to update it.

Use the links below to check your voter registration status and learn more about how to register to vote or update your registration.

Your vote is your voice!

Happy ! Our coming out stories change hearts and our votes change laws. This year and every year, it’s crucial for us to come out to the polls and vote for pro-equality candidates who will protect our rights.

Make your voting plan now: hrc.im/vote

10/07/2026

Join Us!

Our annual gala is fast approaching. Right now our office is filled with decorations, treats, and tons of merch for the auction, which will go live later this week.

We'll see you at the gala!

JOIN US IN CHARLESTON! Some of the Lost River Pride board members will be headed to the 2026 Fairness West Virginia Gala in a few weeks, but we have some extra tickets at our table! If you'd like to join us, please reach out to [email protected].

More about the Gala from Fairness:
"🏳️‍🌈 Join us in Charleston Saturday, October 17, as we celebrate with a tribute to the 1980s and dance our way to a brighter future for LGBTQ+ West Virginians for the Fairness West Virginia Institute Annual Gala.

We invite you to ⚡️Don’t Stop Believing ⚡️for an unforgettable, 80s-themed night inspired by the music, spirit, and resilience of a decade that taught us how to hold on to hope."

09/29/2026

The United States Department of Education on Monday announced a plan to remove Title IX protections on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, but denying transgender students opportunities isn’t the only thing the rule change will do.

The rule change will weaken protections for victims of sexual misconduct on college campuses, and make it more difficult to hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.

"This is just another example of a lame attempt by the federal government to divert attention away from the real problems we face, like economic instability, endless foreign wars, and access to affordable healthcare for all," said Fairness WV Executive Director Andrew Schneider. "People are tired of it."

Read Fairness WV’s statement about the change using the link in the comments.

09/15/2026

West Virginia! Today is National Voter Registration Day. It's a great time to check your voter registration status.

Click the link in the comments to go straight to the West Virginia Secretary of State's website to check your voter registration status. You also may contact your local county clerk's office to check or update your voter registration status. You still have plenty of time to get your registration squared away before the voter registration deadline here.

West Virginia's deadline to register to vote for the General Election is October 13. The 2026 General Election takes place Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Get out there and Q***r the Vote. 🗳️ Today is National Voter Registration Day!

Go to https://www.vote.org/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=dhfacebook&utm_content=app.dashsocial.com%2Fglaad%2Flibrary%2Fmedia%2F720960001 to make sure you are registered to vote and make a plan for election day.

09/14/2026

We were delighted to share a good time with wonderful friends & family and delicious food at Rainbow Pride of West Virginia’s Big Gay Picnic yesterday!

Special thanks to Putnam Pride WV for orchestrating field day games. 🎯

09/11/2026

We have hit the ground 👟running 👟this year providing anti-bullying and mental health training to school personnel and community organizations throughout West Virginia (P.S. It’s all free!)

Our Safe & Healthy Schools Initiative trains and equips educators to create environments where every student feels safe, valued, and able to be themselves.

We know one person makes a huge difference, but our goal is to make sure everyone has a team to support them. That’s where we step in.

We trained more than 600 educators and community members in 2025, and we’re on track to zoom past that number this year! In 2026, more than 500 people have participated in our various trainings that rely on evidence-based practices and real-world experiences.

If you’re interested in learning more about how to:

🟣Reduce bullying
🟣Strengthen school communities and
🟣Support student well-being…

…reach out to our team, and we’ll get started developing a plan to meet your school’s and communities’ needs.

⬇️Use the link in the comments to connect with us to learn more about our Save & Healthy Schools Initiative today.

09/04/2026

This is wonderful news, and we couldn't think of a more inspirational, deserving person for such an honor. Congratulations, Becky!

We also want to congratulate Lani Wean and Crystal Good on their recognition from ACLU of West Virginia for service to the people of West Virginia and beyond.

The work these three women do and the spirit in which they do it reminds us of the better angels of our nature and what goodness can prevail when we lead with love and authenticity.

Today, we’re announcing our 2026 award recipients! Last but certainly not least is Becky Pepper-Jackson.

It’s something millions of American kids take for granted: the ability to sign up for and try out for the school sports team of their choice.

For Becky Pepper-Jackson, that process has been anything but easy and it’s placed her in the national spotlight.

Becky, the only trans girl athlete in West Virginia, was barred by a discriminatory state law from being on the track and field team. In a state of nearly 1.8 million people, the West Virginia Legislature passed a law targeting just one kid.

Earlier this summer, the U.S. Supreme Court unfortunately upheld discrimination in sports when it reversed the Fourth Circuit Court’s decision allowing Becky to be part of her team.

Throughout her five-year battle, Becky has always said the same thing: “This isn’t just about me. I’m doing this for other kids like me.”

Although we’re disappointed in this ruling, we also know this is anything but the end of Becky’s career in advocating for others. That’s why we’ve created a brand-new award in her honor that will be bestowed on one young West Virginian every year going forward: The Becky Pepper-Jackson Emerging Leader Award.

We’ll be honoring Becky at this year’s Bill of Rights Brunch, which kicks off at noon on Sunday, Nov. 15 at the Charleston Marriott. Secure your tickets and/or become a sponsor of this year’s event at the link.

09/04/2026

Mourning the loss of feminist icon Gloria Steinem. GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said in a statement, "Gloria Steinem was a trailblazing titan of civil rights whose vision for liberation bridged the movements for gender equality, bodily autonomy, and LGBTQ rights. She recognized that feminist progress is incomplete without full inclusion and stood as an ally to transgender people’s fight for equality. Gloria rejected rigid binaries, choosing instead to build bridges of empathy and coalition across all marginalized identities. Gloria’s life was a masterclass in coalition-building, courage, and unconditional empathy."