By Lacie Pierson, Charleston Gazette-Mail
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — People working for LGBTQ+ equality in West Virginia are holding on to hope that Gov. Jim Justice will veto a bill that prevents transgender girls and women from participating in public school-sponsored sports in the Mountain State.
The deadline for Justice to address the bill is April 28, according to spokespeople for the state Senate and House of Delegates.
“Gov. Justice is a reasonable man. He cares very deeply about West Virginia’s kids,” said Andrew Schneider, executive director of Fairness West Virginia, an advocacy group. “We also care about our kids. That’s why House Bill 3293 is so dangerous. It singles out the most marginalized kids our state has and isolates them from their peers. If the governor would take the time to get to know some of these kids and hear about their struggle, he would veto this bill in a heartbeat.”
House Bill 3293 would prevent transgender girls and women from participating in athletics in public schools at the elementary, middle and high school levels as well as collegiate sports if their gender identity doesn’t match their sex at birth.
The measure requires the West Virginia Board of Education to identify the standards and methods for athletic and education officials to enforce the ban…