SC House passes bill banning gender-affirming care & requiring schools to out students
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Investigative Report: South Carolina House Passes Bill to Ban Gender-Affirming Care for Transgender Minors and Increase Restrictions on Young Adults
In a controversial move, the South Carolina House of Representatives has passed a bill that would ban gender-affirming care for transgender minors and impose new restrictions on young adults seeking such care. The bill, known as H.R. 4624, also includes a provision that would require schools to out students they suspect are transgender or nonbinary. This development has sparked outrage among LGBTQ+ advocates and medical professionals who argue that such legislation is discriminatory and harmful to transgender youth.
Under H.R. 4624, all forms of gender-affirming care, including puberty blockers and hormone therapy, would be prohibited for transgender individuals under the age of 18. Doctors who provide this care, which is supported by major medical associations in the U.S., could face the risk of losing their licenses. It is worth noting that the bill includes exemptions for cisgender minors to receive gender-affirming care, as well as for intersex minors who often undergo similar procedures without their consent.
Furthermore, the bill would prevent the state’s Medicaid program from covering gender-affirming care for transgender individuals under the age of 26. This is in addition to the existing exclusion of coverage for gender-affirming care for trans people of all ages in the state.
Perhaps the most alarming aspect of H.R. 4624 is the provision that would require school nurses, counselors, teachers, and administrators to disclose information related to a student’s gender identity to their parents. There are no exceptions for transgender or nonbinary students who fear lack of support or potential abuse if they are outed to their parents. Critics argue that this provision undermines the safety and well-being of vulnerable LGBTQ+ youth.
The passing of this bill has been met with widespread condemnation from LGBTQ+ advocates and medical professionals alike. “Today we were disgusted but not surprised to see politicians throw out medical expertise, scientific evidence, and the heartfelt testimony of loving families of trans kids,” said ACLU-South Carolina Executive Director Jace Woodrum, who is a transgender man. “A vote for this bill is to rip away healthcare from vulnerable kids who deserve much better.”
Doctors and parents testified against the bill earlier this month, presenting evidence that gender-affirming care saves lives and reduces stress, depression, and suicidal behavior. However, supporters of the bill, such as State Rep. John McCravy (R), argue that there is unpublished evidence suggesting that puberty blockers lead to self-harm, despite published research contradicting this claim. McCravy went on to refer to trans kids as “mentally disturbed youth” and labeled gender-affirming care as “mutilation.”
State Rep. RJ May (R), co-chair of the state’s ultra-conservative Freedom Caucus, compared Medicaid funding for gender-affirming care to funding “lifestyles” like drug addiction. Democrats have criticized this provision, questioning whether it is truly about protecting minors or simply an attack on a group of people whose lifestyle some lawmakers disagree with.
The bill will now proceed to the South Carolina Senate, where 30 out of the 46 state senators are Republicans. It is worth noting that Governor Henry McMaster (R) has previously signed a ban on transgender students participating in school sports and expressed opposition to same-sex marriage in 2022. However, McMaster has not yet issued a statement regarding his stance on H.R. 4624.
This latest development in South Carolina reflects a broader nationwide debate surrounding transgender rights and healthcare. Advocates argue that denying gender-affirming care to transgender individuals can have devastating consequences for their mental health and well-being. As this bill moves forward in the legislative process, it remains to be seen how the state’s lawmakers will balance the rights and needs of transgender youth with the concerns raised by its supporters.
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“gender-affirming care”
