Bills to Punish LGBTQ+ Supportive Businesses
H3616 would require any business that holds a drag show to be declared “a sexually oriented business,” as it relates to local ordinances. It would ban entities receiving public funds – such as libraries or local governments – from using funds to host a drag show and would classify anyone who “allows a minor to view a drag show” as committing an offense akin to “disseminating harmful materials to minors.”
This bill is a blatant attempt to push LGBTQ+ people out of public life, intimidate allies of LGBTQ+ equality, instigate fears around drag performers more broadly, and harm LGBTQ-supportive small businesses.
At a time when safe spaces for the LGBTQ+ community are under attack, this bill would further eliminate safe spaces for LGBTQ+ people and our allies. This could violate South Carolina’s home rule policy by impacting, for example, the City of Columbia’s ability to support SC’s annual Pride event.
H3564 and H3565 are bills that restrict businesses contracting with the state from taking stances in favor of a range of issues, from LGBTQ+ equality and racial justice to environmental justice and reproductive freedom to gun safety.
H3564 would ban companies that contract with the state from taking any action to “further social, political, or ideological interests,” which can include advertising, public statements, letters to clients or employees, or instituting affirming policies. Several issue areas are specifically cited as violating the proposed bill – including facilitating access to trans-affirming care or reproductive health, engaging on issues of climate change or gun safety, or implementing policies around board or staff diversity.
H3565 is a very similar bill banning engagement with companies that engage in political or social issues, but it specifically requires that state retirement funds not be invested in companies that strive for “certain political and social objectives.”