63% of West Virginians support adding nondiscrimination protections for the 58,000 LGBTQ people in the state

Manchin’s opposition to Equality Act continues long trend of the Senator opposing LGBTQ acceptance

NEW YORK – GLAAD, the world’s largest LGBTQ media advocacy organization, today called on U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) to reverse course and support the Equality Act, which would provide protections for LGBTQ people in West Virginia at their workplace, in their schools, and in their homes. In a statement, Manchin voiced his concern about how his constituents could implement the Equality Act locally, if passed.

GLAAD launched a digital campaign asking West Virginians to demand the Senator support the Equality Act that would protect more than 58,000 people who identify as LGBTQ in the state.

“While it’s easy to understand Senator Joe Manchin’s concerns about the federal government’s power over local authorities, 58,000 LGBTQ West Virginians cannot have their safety remain on the line as they wait for their state government to defend them,” said Sarah Kate Ellis, President and CEO of GLAAD. “The Equality Act presents an opportunity to protect LGBTQ people from harassment at schools, at work, or even in their homes in his home state of West Virginia – and that’s about as local as it gets.”

Just weeks prior to the re-introduction of the Equality Act, Manchin’s West Virginia found itself in scandal after anassistant principal harassed a transgender boy for using a bathroom according to his gender identity. According to reports, Pete Livengood misgendered the student by challenging him to “prove” his gender at a urinal. Senator Manchin’s cousin was the superintendent of the school involved with the dispute.

Senator Manchin’s opposition to the Equality Act continues a long history of the Democratic senator opposing LGBTQ acceptance, including opposing marriage equality to supporting the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Senator Manchin’s Anti-LGBTQ Record

·         At the time of the Supreme Court ruling on marriage, was the only Democratic US Senator to oppose marriage equality

·         Only Democratic US Senator to not endorse the Equality Act.

·         The lone Democrat to not vote for repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.

·         Supported the unconstitutional and discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).

·         Opposed the Obama administration’s transgender guidance on transgender public school bathrooms, insisting that it should be a state-by-state decision.

·         Said transgender students should use staff bathrooms rather than the regular student bathrooms that match their gender.

·         Did not join his Democratic colleagues and sign a friend-of-court brief in support of marriage equality.

·         Greeted the Supreme Court’s ruling in support of nationwide marriage equality with the terse and non-committal statement: “America is a nation of laws, and we must respect and abide by the Supreme Court’s decision.”

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