After a sometimes contentious two-day debate, members of the S.C. House voted 96-19 on Jan. 29 to require people in state schools and colleges to use bathrooms and changing facilities that match their birth sex.
The legislation, sponsored by House Speaker Pro Tempore Tommy Pope, R-York, and dubbed the S.C. Student Physical Privacy Act, was pitched by supporters as a commonsense measure aimed at protecting women and girls.
But opponents, including a majority of the chamber’s Democrats, denounced the bill as an unnecessary and cruel requirement that would inevitably harm transgender students, faculty and administrators.
Before passing the bill, members voted to include an amendment by Charleston Republican Rep. Thomas Hartnett mandating that all schools and colleges provide single-user bathroom and changing room options — a move some Democrats said eased their concerns.
The legislation now moves to the S.C. Senate, where a similar bill is already under consideration.
Help keep the City Paper free.
No paywalls.
No subscription cost.
Free delivery at 800 locations.
Help support independent journalism by donating today.