Democratic lawmakers in South Carolina are being urged to oppose their proposed ban on transgender medicine by trans children, their families, and medical professionals.
Legislators heard from witnesses and experts on House Bill 4624 on Wednesday, January 10, which, if passed, would forbid teachers from teaching transgender individuals gender-affirming medicine and outlaw Medicaid coverage for transgender children under the age of 26.
The severely limiting policy may have fatal repercussions for South Carolina children, according to medical experts and key witnesses.
Physician Dr. Deborah Greenhouse, who informed the Medical, Military, Public, and Municipal Affairs Committee that transgender adolescents in South Carolina do not have access to gender-affirming therapies, was one of those testifying against the bill on medical grounds. Instead, hormone replacement therapy and puberty blockers, which can be life-saving treatments, are more likely to be available to transgender youth who do qualify for gender-affirming treatment with “fully informed” children’s consent.
Kids Dave and Rebecca Bell, who spoke on behalf of their 15-year-old transgender child, backed up this specific claim.
The couple admitted that it had taken years for their child to receive approval for gender-affirming care, with seven appointments to an endocrinologist spread out over a three-year period. However, they noticed a noticeable improvement in their child’s mental health when she was finally approved for treatment with puberty blockers.
They acknowledged that although she did receive antidepressants, she was actually able to stop taking them after starting HRT.
Gender-affirming care is only given to trans minors, according to strict protocols and after extensive consultation with parents and doctors, Dr. Elizabeth Mack, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ South Carolina Chapter, noted earlier in the committee hearing.
She asserted that adolescents do not make these decisions on their own.
Dr. Mack also emphasized that, if done properly, gender-affirming treatment for adolescents is approved and endorsed by every major health organization as a safe process.
Some witnesses, including a 17-year-old trans kid who feared what might happen to them if the bill was passed, gave their testimony anonymously.
Their email read, “I am one of the children at risk of physical injury if my family knows I am trans, so I cannot give you my name.” “Trans children from South Carolina are all watching you now. We’re terrified.”
Another anonymous letter from a trans man’s family described how her son was able to “live boldly every day with his true words” thanks to major surgery, testosterone, and a name change.
He still has the typical issues, the note continued. He and his best friend got into a fight. He worries about getting good grades. He still has a difficult life, but he doesn’t wake up every day hating his name, his body, and his voice. My son, he is.
Only Matt Sharp of the Alliance Defending Freedom, who called in from out of state, supported the legislation among the 48 witnesses.
Following the committee hearing, those who had testified against the bill held a protest outside the Statehouse, complete with chants, signs, and an enormous transgender pride flag draped across the building’s steps.
In the unfortunate event that the legislation is ultimately passed, which is not likely, protest attendees have promised to oppose it.
The legislators decided to move the bill to the House floor after receiving hours of testimony against it.
