SC Senate Education Committee Advances Anti-Transgender Bill to Full Senate

Today the South Carolina Senate Education Committee voted to advance S.531, a bill that would prohibit transgender students in middle school, high school, and college from participating in school athletics. The bill now heads to the full Senate. 

A House companion bill, H.4608, is awaiting discussion in the House Education Committee. 

Hundreds of South Carolinians have taken action in the past few weeks on a wave of legislative attacks, including those related to censorship in school curriculum, healthcare discrimination, the sanctioning of so-called “conversion therapy,” and abortion restrictions.

This week, Republican Governors in two states – Utah and Indiana – vetoed similar bills. In the past two years, five Governors have vetoed bills like S.531, including three Republicans. 

SC United for Justice & Equality, a coalition of more than 30 organizations committed to LGBTQ equality in SC, issued a statement on the bill’s advancement:

“The political attacks on transgender people in South Carolina continued today with the hasty advancement of S.531, despite genuine concerns and objections raised by Democrats and Republicans alike. This bill is bad for South Carolina and completely unnecessary. Lawmakers should look to the leadership from Republican governors in Indiana and Utah, who this week did the right thing by vetoing similar legislation.”

“Today’s hearing also included insensitive discussion about transgender people, including misgendering and relentless focus on trans bodies. To every trans or queer person who watched the hearing, please know that you are loved and supported, and that you belong in all spaces. We’ll keep fighting alongside you and striving toward a South Carolina where everyone can thrive.”

Advocates from the SC United for Justice & Equality coalition are available to speak with media about the legislation and its damaging impact on transgender youth.