A South Carolina bill to ban gender-transition surgeries, hormone therapy and puberty blockers for people under the age of 18 passed a Senate subcommittee Wednesday, following a growing trend among Republican-led legislatures across the country.
S.C. Sen. Josh Kimbrell, R-Spartanburg, compared the restrictions to other age limits on voting, tattoos, drinking and tobacco purchases, and said “changing one’s gender is significantly more consequential than any of those things.”
Opponents of the bill said both measures will heighten the suffering of transgender people, prevent them from being their true selves and increase suicide risks.
“Right now, you’re considering one of the most extreme political attacks on transgender people in recent memory,” said Jace Woodrum, the first transgender director of the American Civil Liberties Union’s S.C. chapter.
South Carolina lawmakers heard testimony twice over the past week that included two de-transitioning women from other states in support of the bill who said they regret their transition and state pediatricians who opposed the bill, saying no doctors perform gender-transitioning surgeries on minors.
In other headlines:
Charleston police list road closures ahead of Cooper River Bridge Run. Closures for the annual 10K race begin the night before in Charleston and drivers are told to expect delays. Meanwhile, forecasts show that wind and rain may affect the weekend’s annual run.
Charleston Co. Coroner’s office gets grant to prevent child deaths. The Charleston County Coroner’s Office is hoping a new pilot grant program from the Michigan Health Institute will help them find out the consistent risk factors for children’s deaths in Charleston County and work on ways to prevent the deaths in real time.
Burgess looks ahead to N. Charleston mayoral race. North Charleston Police Chief Reggie Burgess, who will retire in May, is now looking ahead to how he would address problems in the city if he were elected its mayor.
Charleston’s Small Business Expo to focus on inclusivity. Small Business Opportunity Expo has added two new inclusive sessions to its agenda aimed at Latinx and veterans. The expo will take place Friday at 2 George Street in Exhibitor Hall.
S.C. tech firm urged to take buyout offer seriously. Clearlake Capital Group is reiterating its $3.78 billion offer to purchase S.C. tech giant Blackbaud Inc. and asking management to take the deal seriously.
Ketner fuels nonprofit passions (Sponsored). Charleston leader Linda Ketner was the first person to donate $1 million dollars to the Coastal Community Foundation, an organization dedicated to support women who want to make a difference in the region.
- To get dozens of South Carolina news stories every business day, contact the folks at SC Clips.
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