West Virginia
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West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian, Mid-Atlantic, and Southeastern regions of the United States. It is bordered by Pennsylvania to the north and east, Maryland to the east and northeast, Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, and Ohio to the northwest. West Virginia is the 10th smallest state by area and ranks as the 12th least populous state, with a population of 1,793,716 residents. The capital and largest city is Charleston.
West Virginia was admitted to the Union on June 20, 1863, and was a key border state during the war. It was the only state to form by separating from a Confederate state, the second to separate from a state after Maine separated from Massachusetts, and one of two states (along with Nevada) admitted to the Union during the Civil War. Some of its residents held slaves, but most were yeoman farmers, and the delegates provided for the gradual abolition of slavery in the new state constitution. The state legislature abolished slavery and, at the same time, ratified the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery nationally on February 3, 1865.
West Virginia's Northern Panhandle borders Pennsylvania and Ohio, forming a tristate area, with Wheeling and Weirton just across from the Pittsburgh metropolitan area. Huntington in the southwest is near Ohio and Kentucky. At the same time, Martinsburg and Harpers Ferry in the Eastern Panhandle region are considered part of the Washington metropolitan area, which encompasses Maryland and Virginia. West Virginia is often included in various U.S. geographical regions, including the Mid-Atlantic, the Upland South, and the Southeastern United States. It is the only state entirely within the area served by the Appalachian Regional Commission; this area is commonly defined as "Appalachia."
The state is known for its mountains and rolling hills, its historically significant coal mining and logging industries, and its political and labor history. It also offers a wide range of outdoor recreational opportunities, including skiing, whitewater rafting, fishing, hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, rock climbing, and hunting. From the Great Depression until the 1990s, the state voted heavily for the Democratic Party due to its tradition of union-based politics. Since then, the state has shifted to a predominantly Republican stance and is considered a "deep red" state at the federal level.
Other nominated names for the state included Vandalia, Kanawha, Appalachia, and Western Virginia. The capital was originally Wheeling before switching to Charleston, returning to Wheeling, and finally back to Charleston. The first governor was Arthur Boreman.
Sexual Orientation in West Virginia
West Virginia showcases a complex landscape concerning LGBTQ+ rights, characterized by limited statewide protections, localized initiatives, and recent legislative actions that have raised concerns among advocates.
- Legal Status and Recognitions
- Same-Sex Marriage: Legal since October 2014.
- Adoption: Same-sex couples are permitted to adopt.
- Gender Marker Changes: Transgender individuals can change the gender marker on their birth certificates and driver's licenses with a court order and physician's certification.
- Anti-Discrimination Protections
- Statewide Protections: West Virginia lacks comprehensive statewide laws prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in employment, housing, or public accommodations.
- Local Ordinances: Several cities, including Charleston, Morgantown, and Huntington, have passed ordinances to protect LGBTQ+ individuals from discrimination.
- Federal Protections: Under the 2020 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Bostock v. Clayton County, employment discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity is banned nationwide.
- Recent Legislative Actions
- Religious Refusal Law (2023): A law was enacted allowing businesses to refuse services based on religious beliefs, potentially permitting discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals.
- Nullification of Local Protections (2025): The state Senate passed a bill aiming to nullify local non-discrimination ordinances protecting LGBTQ+ rights.
- Gender Definition Legislation (2025): The "Riley Gaines Act" legally defines gender as strictly male or female, excluding recognition of non-binary and transgender identities.
- Transgender Sports Ban (2021): Legislation was passed banning transgender girls from participating in female sports teams.
- Ban on Gender-Affirming Care for Minors (2023): A law was signed prohibiting gender-affirming medical care for minors, with limited exceptions.
- Community and Advocacy
- Fairness West Virginia: A statewide civil rights advocacy organization dedicated to fair treatment and civil rights for LGBTQ+ individuals.
- ACLU of West Virginia: Actively works to protect and expand LGBTQ+ rights through legal action and public policy advocacy.
ACLU West Virginia
- Summary
While West Virginia has made some progress in recognizing LGBTQ+ rights, significant gaps remain, particularly in statewide anti-discrimination protections. Recent legislative measures have further complicated the landscape, prompting ongoing efforts by advocacy groups to safeguard and advance the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals in the state.
History of the West Virginia Flag
The West Virginia State Flag features a white background with a thick blue border around the edges. The Virginia State Coat of Arms is prominently displayed in the center of the flag. The central feature of the coat of arms is a boulder surrounded by ivy with bold black text emblazoned upon it that reads, "June 20 1863," the date of the state's formation. Standing on the left side of the rock is a farmer wearing hunting gear, holding an axe and a plow handle. A corn stalk and a sheaf of wheat are placed to the left of the farmer. This imagery represents the agricultural history of the state, and the axe demonstrates the rugged, undeveloped terrain that farmers cultivated. On the right side of the rock is a miner holding a pick-axe. To the right of the miner are an anvil, a sledgehammer, a barrel, and mineral lumps. The mining imagery represents the prominent mining industry in the state. Underneath these figures are two crossed hunting rifles with a liberty cap placed on top, symbolizing the use of force to achieve freedom. At the bottom of the seal is a red banner that reads, "Montani Semper Liberi," the state motto, which translates as "mountaineers are always free." A second red banner above the seal reads, "State of West Virginia" in bold black capitalized text. The coat of arms is surrounded by a wreath of Rhododendrons, which are the state flower. The white color of the flag represents purity, while the blue color pays homage to the United States of America. The current design of the West Virginia State flag was adopted by the West Virginia State Legislature on March 7th, 1962, after a redesign that sought to simplify the previous design, which had different printing on both sides and proved too complex and expensive to manufacture.
West Virginia is located in the Appalachian Region of the Southern United States and shares borders with Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and Kentucky. The capital and largest city of West Virginia is Charleston. West Virginia's name is derived from Elizabeth I of England, who was nicknamed "The Virgin Queen." The state was originally going to be called "Kanawha" after the Kanawha River; however, the name Virginia was ultimately chosen to pay homage to the state's history as part of Virginia. West Virginia is nicknamed "The Mountain State" since it is the only state that lies entirely within the Appalachian Mountain region.
West Virginia was originally inhabited by the Paleo-Indians and the Adena people. Native American tribes soon followed, which included the Shawnee, Cherokee, and Iroquois. The most prevalent tribe was the Shawnee. In 1606, the land that comprises West Virginia was part of the Virginia Colony established by the British. In 1607, Jamestown was established as Virginia began to be settled.
The land that comprises West Virginia is very mountainous and was therefore considered a frontier that did not begin to be settled until the 1700s. The first settlement was New Mecklenburg in 1726. In 1762, New Mecklenburg became Shepherdstown, which is now the oldest town in West Virginia. During the Revolutionary War, West Virginia sought to break from the Virginia Colony and become its own state; it had been separated from Virginia by the mountains and was always seen as different, both culturally and economically. West Virginia gained statehood on June 20th, 1863, becoming the 35th state of the United States of America.
External links
- Wikipedia article: West Virginia
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