Watch: Senate Committee Takes Testimony on “Bathroom Bill”

Columbia , S.C. (WOLO) — On Wednesday, dozens packed a Senate subcommittee hearing on a bill that would require individuals to go to the restroom that matches the gender on their birth certificate. Critics say the bill unfairly targets those in the transgender community.

At the hearing, individuals on both sides of the issue expressed their opinions on the matter.

“Some man thinks he has the right because he thinks he is a woman, so he’s got the right to walk in on that person, I don’t see that,” said one witness in favor of the bill.

“With this heinous bill, we are being attacked by misinformed people who stand behind the misguided beliefs,” explained a witness against the bill.

While several individuals spoke in support of the legislation, a majority of those in attendance were there in opposition to the bill arguing it creates further discrimination and initiates a safety risk.

“Transgender people who simply want to use the bathroom will be singled out and harrassed,” said a witness testifying against the bill.

Mayor Steve Benjamin also weighed in on the bill, calling it an “undisguised attack” on citizens and expressed his economic concerns.

“This proposal would cause irreplaceable damage to our economic development efforts,” said Mayor Benjamin.

The bill introduced by Senator Lee Bright is similar to the legislation recently passed in North Carolina that has since been altered by an executive order after facing harsh criticism and economic consequences. However, Senator Bright says the bill is still necessary in the Palmetto State.

“It’s written for disaster saying that any man can walk into a women’s restroom because he says he identifies as a woman,” said Senator Bright. “I think it’s a public safety issue and I think it’s a privacy issue.”

Meanwhile, other Senators vow the bill faces an uphill climb.

“We’ve seen enough discrimination to last us a lifetime,” said Senator Joel Lourie. “We don’t need a bill like this and I will do everything I can to make sure it never passes.”

The senate subcommittee will meet again to hear public testimony on Thursday afternoon.