City of Elkins Passes Controversial Ordinance

Historic Davis Memorial Presbyterian Church on Randolph Ave. in Elkins.

On Thursday, October 16, 2025, the City of Elkins passed a controversial ordinance that provides a "protected class" designation to a certain group of people. It is this same designation that has limited WV public school teachers in their ability to discipline certain students based on their status within the scope of a designated "protected class". WV Delegate Elias Coop-Gonzalez, a resident of Elkins, shares his perspective on the new ordinance:

"Everyone is deserving of dignity and respect. That is unquestionable. The issue with this ordinance is that it is empirically unconstitutional. If we had a Christian baker in Elkins who did not want to partake in a gay wedding, he can refuse service. That is his right under the First Amendment of the Constitution. This has been upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court to this day (Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission).

This ordinance might be used to violate the rights of an Elkins resident (Christian or otherwise). That is unacceptable. The legal consequences of a municipality knowingly violating someone’s Constitutional rights are not good either. A lawsuit could be leveled against the City, and they would lose because their ordinance is clearly illegal. A case like that could put the city in a position that jeopardizes its financial stability.

I am not usually keen on commenting on City affairs, but I am an Elkins resident — and so are most of my constituents, for that matter. They deserve to know what this ordinance actually seeks to do and what may come from it. These details were not disclosed in the press releases and choreographed photo-ops.

As a Christian, I will stand firmly in the belief that homosexuality is morally wrong and thus an offense to God. Anyone can disagree with me, but no one can deny how contrary this ordinance is to the Constitution. It is the sworn duty of every elected official to uphold this document, not undermine it.

Lastly, are these measures the best use of the City’s time and our resources? We have serious problems with drug addiction, homelessness, crime, and soaring utility costs. Playing political games with our constituents’ money and God-given rights is not a wise stewardship of power."

Elias Coop-Gonzalez is the youngest member in the West Virginia House of Delegates. He moved to West Virginia soon after he turned thirteen. Born and raised in a third-world country, he realized the importance of preserving America and the values that make her great. That motivated him to learn about American civics, Biblical citizenship, and the U.S. Constitution.

During President Trump’s re-election in 2020, Elias had the honor of being the youngest member of the Republican National Convention from West Virginia. He went on to work directly under the president of Leadership Institute — an educational non-profit that prepares conservatives to win in the public policy process. In the fall of 2024, Elias received his bachelors degree in business administration and data analytics from Liberty University.

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City of Elkins Passes Controversial Ordinance

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