The South Carolina legislature is moving quickly on two identical bills that would harm transgender, nonbinary, and gender-nonconforming students across our state — and we need your voice right now.

Both the House and the Senate are advancing companion bills designed to exclude and target trans youth in public K–12 schools and public colleges and universities.

What’s happening right now

The Senate Education Committee is considering S.199, while the House is moving forward with H.4756. These bills are nearly identical and would:

• Restrict multi-occupancy restrooms, locker rooms, showers, and changing facilities based on so-called “biological sex at birth”
• Define sex strictly as male or female, ignoring medical consensus and lived reality
• Apply these restrictions to overnight trips, school events, and campus housing
• Allow individuals to sue schools or colleges if they believe someone is “of the opposite sex” in a restroom or changing facility
• Threaten schools and colleges with the loss of 25% of certain state funds for noncompliance

These bills do not improve safety or privacy. Instead, they invite surveillance, harassment, and fear — harming transgender students and putting all students, especially those who don’t conform to rigid gender stereotypes, at risk.

How you can take action today

We need as much participation as possible, in whatever way you’re able:

➡️ Take Action on the Senate Bill (S.199)
Send a message urging the Senate Education Committee to reject S.199 and stop this senseless attack on trans youth.

➡️ Take Action on the House Bill (H.4756)
Contact House lawmakers and urge them to vote NO on H.4756 to protect students’ dignity, safety, and privacy.

➡️ Show Up if You Can 
If you have the capacity to attend or testify at the State House, your presence matters. Being visible — filling the room, standing with trans youth and their families — sends a powerful message.

If you’ve never testified before, that’s okay. Testimony doesn’t need to be long or perfect. A few clear points, spoken from the heart, make a difference.

S.199 Hearing - 10:00 am -- Gressette Room 308 -- Senate Education Subcommittee

Watch the Live Stream Here!

You are not alone

We know this is exhausting. These attacks are relentless by design. But history shows us that when our community shows up together — loudly, visibly, and consistently — we can stop harmful legislation.

Thank you for standing with transgender youth, with SC Equality, and with the vision of a South Carolina where every student can learn and live safely.