South Carolina Senate Subcommittee Advances Anti-Transgender Bill to Full Education Committee

Today the South Carolina Senate Education Subcommittee continued its hearing on S.531, a bill that would prohibit transgender students – including those in middle, high school, and college – from participating in student sports. Even after powerful testimony from community members opposing the bill, the subcommittee voted 3-1 to advance S.531 to the full committee with a favorable ruling. 

This was the second subcommittee hearing on S.531, following the first in May of 2021 when no action was taken. A companion bill, H.4608, was heard in a House subcommittee on Thursday, March 10, but no action was taken.

Powerful testimony was heard from supporters of transgender equality from all walks of life – including parents, medical providers, mental health experts from The Trevor Project, and advocates.

SC United for Justice & Equality, a coalition of more than 30 organizations committed to LGBTQ equality in SC, mobilized against the bill today and spoke out against its advancement. 

Ivy Hill (they/them pronouns), a leader of the SC United for Justice & Equality coalition who also serves as Executive Director of Gender Benders and Community Health Program Director of the Campaign for Southern Equality, said after the hearing:

“Let’s be clear about what happened today: A bill that lawmakers know is unnecessary was advanced to full committee to score political points with anti-transgender forces around a manufactured issue. Transgender youth have played sports consistent with their gender identity for a long time, and the South Carolina High School League already has a reasonable policy in place to protect transgender youth while ensuring a level playing field and a safe, friendly environment.”

“S.531 will not solve any real problems, but it will create – and is already creating – a flood of them. New research has illustrated the extreme damage that bills like this have on the mental health of transgender youth, with 85% of trans or nonbinary youth saying anti-transgender bills negatively impact their mental health. That’s why I want transgender and queer youth across South Carolina to know that we love them, we support them, and we will never stop fighting alongside them for dignity, respect, and inclusion here in South Carolina” 

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. 

Learn more at www.SouthCarolinaUnited.org/Trans-Athletes