On May 9, South Carolina joined two dozen other states in approving a measure banning gender-affirming care for minors, sending the bill to Republican Gov. Henry McMaster, who is expected to sign it into law, The Hill reported.
South Carolina’s House Bill 4624 bans healthcare providers from administering puberty blockers, hormone therapy and surgeries to transgender minors, though youths receiving care prior to Aug. 1 will be allowed a “tapering off period.” Care must stop entirely by Jan. 31. If McMaster signs the measure, South Carolina will join 24 other states—more than half of which are in the South—in limiting access to gender-affirming care for minors.
Every major medical organization (including the American Medical Association and American Academy of Pediatrics) considers gender-affirming healthcare to be safe, although not every trans person chooses to medically transition or has access to care.
In a statement, Human Rights Campaign Senior Director of Legal Policy Cathryn Oakley said, “South Carolina legislators abused their power today by substituting their judgment for that of parents, medical professionals, mental health care professionals and other experts. This is a major violation of South Carolinians’ liberty. Every credible medical organization in the nation supports age-appropriate gender affirming care, which can be a life-saving treatment for LGBTQ+ youth. These decisions must remain in the hands of medical professionals and parents, not politicians. Governor McMaster should stand on the side of the business community, medical professionals, and the vast majority of his own constituents, reject this extremism, and veto this hateful bill.”
The Campaign for Southern Equality, in a separate release, collaborated with advocates to launch resources to support families navigating this challenging period. Families of transgender youth in South Carolina are now eligible to apply for support from the Southern Trans Youth Emergency Project (STYEP)—a regional project of the Campaign for Southern Equality led in partnership in South Carolina with We Are Family, Uplift Outreach Center and the Harriet Hancock Center. Families can request support at www.southernequality.org/SCResources.