Record Video Testimony Opposing S.811, Which Would Sanction ‘Conversion Therapy’ in SC

A subcommittee of the South Carolina Senate Medical Affairs Committee will hold another hearing this week – Thursday, February 10 at 9:30am – on S.811, a bill that would target LGBTQ people people for discrimination in healthcare and now, sanction the anti-LGBTQ practice of so-called "conversion therapy," or the debunked practice of trying to change someone's sexual orientation or gender identity. Lawmakers will propose an amendment to the bill that they’re calling a “right of conscience” provision, but the effect is that it will make it impossible for localities in our state to protect LGBTQ minors from “conversion therapy.”

The amendment is a direct response on the city of Columbia, SC's correct and ethical decision to pass a local ordinance protecting minors from anti-LGBTQ 'conversion therapy.' Now, discriminatory lawmakers want to undo Columbia's ordinance and forbid any other jurisdiction from passing protections from the dangerous, traumatic impacts of 'conversion therapy.'

No new in-person testimony will be heard on the bill. But the subcommittee will allow written and video comments as testimony. We need to make our voices heard.

To record a video, just use your phone and speak about why you oppose S.811 for three minutes or less. Then, send the video as an email attachment to smedicomm@scsenate.gov, with the subject line, “Opposing S.811". Please be sure the committee receives the video by Tuesday, Feb. 8, 12 noon. You may also submit written testimony this way.

Then, be sure to rush a message to your Senator and the entire subcommittee of the Senate Medical Affairs Committee. Click here to take action.

Thank you for taking action against S.811.