South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster signed H.4608 an anti-transgender bill that restricts transgender students from participating in school sports in middle school, high school & college. Ivy Hill Executive Director of Gender Benders & Community Health Program Director of Campaign for Southern Equality stated, “It pains us to see lawmakers in South Carolina & now the governor, ignore the voices of thousands of South Carolinians including parents, medical providers, students, faith leaders & transgender people ourselves who expressed loudly & clearly that this bill will harm young people in our state. Transgender youth are not a threat to fairness in sports & this law now needlessly stigmatizes young people who are simply trying to navigate their adolescence, make friends & build skills like teamwork & leadership, winning & losing.” Dr. Elizabeth Mack a board certified pediatric critical care physician & pediatrician in Charleston concluded, “As a born & raised South Carolinian, it is my expectation that our state’s elected officials make decisions based on evidence & listen to our state’s experts. We must not play into fear or treat some of our most vulnerable community members our transgender young people like political pawns. Transgender youth face higher rates of bullying, mental health issues & even suicide than their non-transgender peers, which we sadly see routinely in pediatric ICUs. This bill tells a population that is already at risk, ‘We do not support you,’ & I am devastated to see it pass. We must protect our future – our young people.” Last month I talked to human rights activist Amberlyn Boiter about making this country safe for our transgender community & her spin on our LGBTQ issues. LISTEN
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