March 29 – Join Us in Taking Action Against SC’s Anti-Transgender Healthcare Ban
Lawmakers in South Carolina are gearing up to consider a slate of anti-transgender bills by the end of this month – with two hearings scheduled before a SC Senate Medical Affairs Subcommittee. The first hearing took place on March 23, featuring testimony from a range of experts, including doctors and mental health professionals. Now, we need all hands on deck for a subcommittee hearing on Wednesday, March 29 at 9:00am ET.
The subcommittee meetings will focus on these bills:
S.627, an anti-transgender healthcare ban prohibiting access to gender-affirming care for people under 18. This bill also includes a dangerous component requiring teachers and school staff to “out” transgender children to their parents, potentially before they are ready to share.
S.623, which interferes with the identity documents of transgender people.
Here’s how you can get engaged:
Pack the room with supporters: Let’s prove to lawmakers that there are more South Carolinians opposed to these bills than in support of them. If you’re able to attend the hearing, please show up, where a signal of your support for the transgender community, and listen to the testimony while supporting those who are able to speak.
Share your story after the hearing: We’ll be gathering outside the Statehouse after the hearing ends at 11am, and anyone who wants to speak and share their prepared testimony against these bills will be able to do so; we’ll stream this event online and invite the media to attend. More details on this on Monday!
Be in community with supporters of transgender dignity and equality: We’ll have a community care space set up outside of the hearing room on Wednesday, and it’s a great space to create art, learn tips for healing & resilience, and find care and support from other people impacted by these anti-transgender policies.
Testify with our partners against an anti-LGBTQ, racist curriculum censorship bill: There may be an opportunity to testify against another bill that SC United opposes. We’ll keep you posted on next steps.
Have conversations in the lobby with lawmakers: We’ll also talk you through how to lobby Senators directly later in the day.
Please let us know if you can attend – just sign up here, and we’ll keep you posted with all of the logistical details: