Elizabeth Mack, M.D.

Dr. Elizabeth Mack, a pediatric critical care physician in Charleston, delivered this testimony opposing H3477 to the South Carolina House Special Laws Committee on Tuesday, February 23, 2021.

Mr. Chairman and Subcommittee, thank you so much. I am Dr. Elizabeth Mack, a pediatric critical care physician here in SC, a former high school athlete, a native South Carolinian, and an American Academy of Pediatrics spokesperson. I am here today to testify against H3477 through the lens of child health.

The American Academy of Pediatrics supports pediatricians to have a role in advocating for, educating, and developing liaison relationships with school districts and other community organizations to promote acceptance and inclusion of all children without fear of harassment, exclusion, or bullying because of gender expression – and that pediatricians have a role in advocating for policies and laws that protect youth who identify as transgender from discrimination and violence.

“Pediatricians have a role in advocating for policies and laws that protect youth who identify as transgender from discrimination and violence. Please join me in supporting ALL of our children and opposing H3477.” – Dr. Elizabeth Mack

This bill says to our trans youth, not just those interested in sports, a population already struggling through this pandemic: “We do not support you.” I have seen far too many suicide attempts and completions in my career, but even more so in the last year, and the LGBTQIA+ population is at particular risk. This pandemic has laid bare the inequities in our society. I think we can all agree our youth are our future. 

How would we enforce this bill? Require all children to undergo a detailed exam of their genitals? Order chromosomes? This is not part of the standard pre-participation sports physical. The American Academy of Pediatrics pre-participation physical form asks for sex assigned at birth as well as gender identity. How about children whose congenital anatomy or chromosomes are not what the lay public would consider as biological male or female? And would we require children to come out before they’re ready? This is an invasion of privacy and developmentally devastating.

If patients so chose, hormone therapy does not confer superhuman strength. The number of children this bill would affect through its intention is very small, but the message it sends is far-reaching and noninclusive. We as pediatricians and child health providers support ALL children, and realize the importance of providing a supportive, loving environment.

Please join me in supporting ALL of our children and opposing H3477. Thank you so much for your time and consideration on behalf of SC’s children and child health advocates.