South Carolina trans community & allies speak out against bill during legislative committee meeting

On Thursday morning, South Carolina state Senators held a committee meeting to discuss a bill which would ban trans girls from playing in high school and middle school sports. A bill similar to this had already been killed five times - two being in the state House of Representatives.

But lawmakers did not take a vote because there were so many people signed up to speak about the bill. According to The State:

A panel of senators on the Education Committee heard about two hours of testimony on the bill Thursday before deciding to come back in the summer to take up the issue again. Lawmakers did not take a vote on the bill, sponsored by Sen. Richard Cash, R-Anderson.

 I should mention the proponents of the bill and what they said, but why bother. You know who they are - legislators supporting the bill and a person from the local "traditional values for moral integrity blah blah blah" group who repeat the same lying talking points about the so-called unfairness to cis female athletes (without any proof, mind you.)

The real story are those who came out against the bill. These folks did not come to play Here are just a few of those who spoke:

"First, I want to speak to #transgender youth: Your existence is your resistance, so please stay alive," says Melissa Moore. They helped craft the SC High School League's policy that allows #transgender students to play while maintaining level playing fields. #SupportTransYouthSC pic.twitter.com/mS3z2uxa4O

— Southern Equality (@SouthernEqual) May 6, 2021

Next up is Deb Foreman of @PFLAGSprtnbrg and Uplift Outreach Center: "I speak today as the mom of a transgender person whom I love and have always wanted the best life for, which is at times an unattainable goal when you live in a state like South Carolina." #SupportTransYouthSC pic.twitter.com/uk9a1HOWkl

— Southern Equality (@SouthernEqual) May 6, 2021

Next up is Ivy Hill, our Community Health Program Director and Exec. Director of @genderbenders1. "I am also transgender & intersex. This rhetoric we’ve heard about sex being binary is categorically untrue. I am living proof of that standing in front of you." #SupportTransYouthSC pic.twitter.com/n1Y9DPV8bn

— Southern Equality (@SouthernEqual) May 6, 2021

Speaking now is Wynston Cornelius: "I’m a proud Black man of trans experience born and raised in South Carolina. I serve as Program Coordinator of Gender Benders, which serves trans people in our state." Wynston is also our Southern Equality Fund coordinator. #SupportTransYouthSC pic.twitter.com/lhVcG6jEiN

— Southern Equality (@SouthernEqual) May 6, 2021

Next speaker strongly opposes #S531, shares emotional story of how trans folks are at heightened risk of suicide because of stigma/discrimination. "The impact of this bill would mean both direct and indirect harm to children. There's no reason to do this." #SupportTransYouthSC pic.twitter.com/EIfpugI5CS

— Southern Equality (@SouthernEqual) May 6, 2021

Thank you, Dr. Elizabeth Mack, a pediatric critical care physician here, former high school athlete, a lifelong South Carolinian, and an American Academy of Pediatrics spokesperson, for coming to #SupportTransYouthSC and testifying against S.531 through the lens of child health. pic.twitter.com/uvmjG72FCH

— Southern Equality (@SouthernEqual) May 6, 2021

 What happens next is anybody's guess. But based upon what happened during the hearing, the momentum seems to be in the corner of those who oppose this bill. Not matter what  though, props must be given to the South Carolina transgender community and their allies. In a Southern red state which no one on the national scene seems to care about, they are still bringing it.

In the long run, that is how you win.

 Huge hat tip to SC United for Equality and Justice and Southern Equality.