Bill banning gender transitioning procedures heading to House after passing committee ruling

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) –A bill that calls for the banning of gender transitioning procedures passed in a committee meeting Wednesday afternoon — and will now make its way to the House floor.

The bill, also known as H-4624 calls for the banning of surgeries, hormone therapy, and puberty blockers from taking place with minors.

State money would also be prohibited from funding any of these procedures.

Contrasting opinions came from many of the representatives.

“I just came from Mother Emanuel Church where people back in Charleston are talking about hate crimes, and how we should get along with each other, and then we come up here this morning and pledge allegiance to the flag. And that word in there says “justice for all.” And we’re up here trying to take people’s rights away,” says Rep. Wendell Gilliard, of District 111.

Rep. Jordan Pace of District 117 believes the bill doesn’t go far enough, saying, “Why in the world would we allow them, particularly in previous years, even funded this, here in South Carolina, when the vast majority of the state and our voters who put us here do not agree with this?”

One part of the bill was removed requiring a school staff member to notify a parent should they believe the student is experiencing gender dysphoria.

However, it would require that teachers or staff “not withhold any information related to the minor’s perception that their gender is inconsistent with his or her sex.”

“Again there are parents who probably think like the people who propose this bill that it is inherently bad, and that could be deadly in some instances for some these students. And what are we going to do about that?” asks Rep. Marvin Pendarvis of District 113.

After Wednesday’s meeting, allies and members of the trans community held a rally on the state house steps.

“I’m hurt as somebody who knew that I was transgender as a child, and really would have benefited with the care back then. To know that it’s being ripped away from other children, I mean I had attempts against my own life. Because of not having access to this, and knowing that it’s going to be taken away from children who already have it, it’s going to be devastating,” says Storm Scites.

And should the bill pass, Scites believes politicians will be responsible for the aftermath, saying, “They think that we’re indoctrinating kids, and they’re really just, they’re killing them. There’s going to be children’s lives lost. And I want them to know that they’re personally responsible for children that will die because of bills that they’re passing.”

No date has been set for the bill’s hearing in the house.

Currently the transgender community makes up .01% of all South Carolinians.