Action Alerts
Pickens County Libraries are Under Attack.
Help Us Protect the Freedom To Read.
The Pickens County Library System is in crisis.
After changing its collection policy, the Board of Trustees launched a sweeping review of more than 86,000 children’s and young adult books, a process library leadership says could take over a year. Programs are already being canceled and services delayed as staff are pulled away from serving families.
This is a massive burden on the library system and a reckless misuse of public resources.
In the middle of this upheaval, trustees voted to remove the library’s award-winning director, Stephanie, after nearly two hours of private discussion, with no public explanation.
No transparency. No accountability.
Our public libraries exist to serve everyone, not to act as political tools.
We call for:
• The immediate reinstatement of Executive Director Stephanie Howard.
• The removal of board members responsible for destabilizing the library system.
• An end to the 86,000-book review that is grossly misusing taxpayer dollars and threatening constitutional rights
South Carolinians believe in freedom, including the freedom to read.
Take action today to protect Pickens County’s libraries.
H.4756 has passed the House
H.4756, what we know as the “bathroom bill,” has passed today in the SC House of Representatives.
Two amendments were added to the bill before its passage today:
FIRST
Reps. Waters and Rose’s amendment has changed the wording of the bill to allow only employees or students (rather than any individual) to sue, and this employee or student may only sue if they encounter someone they deem to be in the “wrong” restroom.
This amendment narrows our battle ground moving forward, meaning that not any person can file suit. If a lawsuit is filed, it must be by a student or employee of the public education system. If a public school provides permission for someone to use the “wrong” restroom; if they fail to take “reasonable steps” – whatever that means – to avoid someone using the “wrong” restroom; or if they require a person to share sleeping quarters with someone of the “opposite sex”, the school is liable and can be sued.
SECOND
Rep. Hartnett’s amendment, spelling out that each public school building (including higher education institutions) must provide at least one single user restroom and changing facility.
This amendment provides a layer of protection for gender non-conforming folks and others who may feel unsafe using a restroom labeled “male” or “female”. It allows a safe haven where gender expression won’t be scrutinized by passersby. We thank Rep. Hartnett for taking action and protecting our children where he could.
While this is a blow to our community, it is not a total loss. Rep. Hartnett’s amendment provides a layer of immediate protection for our community, should this bill continue to move forward.
What’s next:
In order to keep its momentum, H.4756 must pass a third and final reading before it moves to the Senate for debate. Once it reaches the Senate, it will have to pass through committee, subcommittee, and Senate floor votes before Governor McMaster has the opportunity to sign this legislation into law.
There is still time to make your voice heard. There is still a reason to fight back.
What you can do:
Continue making noise. Our voices, our stories, our testimonies matter. Check out our Director, Ashley Peele’s testimony here for inspiration.
Use SC United’s Action Network link to contact your representative ASAP and tell them to vote NO on H.4756 before it passes to the Senate.
Watch for our updates. If and when the Senate calls for public testimony on this, be ready to join us at the State House. Every voice matters, and every body in that room with a rainbow pin shows our strength.
We know this has been an incredibly rough few weeks. We know you’re reaching your limit on attacks from those meant to represent us. Most importantly, we know that you care enough to keep pushing back.
In solidarity,
The AFFA Action Team
OPPOSE H.4756 & H.4757
Two harmful bills, H.4756 and H.4757, are moving.
We need YOU in the room.
Last week, you showed up to testify against H.4756, or the harmful "bathroom bill," that risks student safety, encourages stigma, and invites harassment. This week the Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Special Laws Subcommittee will reconvene to continue discussing this proposed bill. We invite you to join us at this hearing as we continue showing our legislators that we are paying attention.
Hearing Details
Tuesday, January 20
9:00 AM
Room 516, Blatt Building
Also this Tuesday, another bill, H.4757, or the "Parental Rights Bill," will go before the Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs Committee. The bill, sponsored by 49 Republican representatives, enforces sweeping anti-LGBTQ+ policies across medical and educational settings.
Hearing Details
Tuesday, January 20
10:00 AM
Room 110, Blatt Building
What’s at stake:
Medically, H.4757 would change South Carolina’s medical decision making age from 16 to 18 years, and specifically for abortion, change the medical decision making age from 17 to 18 years, amplifying risks for youth in unsafe living conditions who need medical care.
Consistent with other proposed anti-LGBTQ+ legislation across the country, H.4757 also attacks public educational facilities, limiting access to both shared spaces, such as school restrooms, as well as participation in sports teams in accordance with their gender identity.
In addition, this bill promotes the censorship of learning materials and curriculum, necessitating parental consent before implementing lesson plans containing LGBTQ+ related contents. This means that students will be stripped of viewing any materials that may represent their identity or expose the wider student population to diverse experiences.
A major component of this bill also demands educators throughout the state to disclose to parents “any request by a child to be treated in a manner that is inconsistent with his or her sex.” This practice, effectively outing students to parents or caregivers who may not accept their gender identity or sexuality, could lead to:
Increased risk of abuse, neglect, or homelessness of students
Increased risk of mental health struggles and ostracization from community
Decreased trust in public school educators and admin, who often serve as the first line of defense for students in crisis and/or those experiencing abuse or neglect
We know that the above risks are not imagined or fictitious, but provide evidence-backed reasoning for the ultimate harm H.4757 would inflict if passed:
55% of LGBTQ+ youth who have run away from home did so because of mistreatment or fear of mistreatment due to their identity.
40% of LGBTQ+ youth who were kicked out of their home reported that it was because of their identity.
A 2019 study found that using the chosen names of transgender youth in more contexts, including schools, was associated with lower depression, suicidal ideation, and suicidal behavior for transgender youth.
South Carolina schools should be places of safety, trust, and learning, not fear and surveillance. Take action now and urge lawmakers to oppose H. 4757.
What you can do:
1. Show up at the hearing!
Our strongest tool is being in the room. When lawmakers look out and see who’s watching, it shapes what they believe... and how they'll vote.
2. Call your Representative
Tell them you oppose H.4757 and expect them to protect students, not target them. Not sure who your rep is? Check here.
3. Contact the Judiciary Committee
Let them know you won't stand for any attacks on our youth via SC United's Action Network link.
4. Watch online if you can’t attend in person
Bookmark the livestream link so you can still follow and support from home.
Last week, we filled rooms and showed legislators exactly how powerful our community is. Let’s do it again. Let’s remind them who they work for. Let's show them we belong in South Carolina.
In solidarity,
The AFFA Action Team
Harmful Anti-Trans Bill H.4756 Is Moving. We Need You in the Room.
This Wednesday, January 14, a dangerous bill targeting transgender and gender-nonconforming students will be heard in the South Carolina House. This is a moment when your voice truly matters.
H.4756 is scheduled for a hearing in the Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, and Special Laws Subcommittee, which operates under House Judiciary.
Hearing Details
Wednesday, January 14
10:45 AM
Room 110, Blatt Building
What’s at stake:
H.4756 would force all public K-12 schools and public colleges and universities to impose rigid, invasive rules about restrooms, changing areas, and similar spaces based solely on sex assigned at birth. Schools that don’t comply could face serious financial penalties.
This would roll back existing inclusive policies, invite discrimination, and make schools less safe for everyone. It encourages stigma, fuels harassment, and polices how people are “supposed” to look and exist in public spaces.
Let’s be clear:
This bill protects no one and harms everyone.
It is not about safety or privacy. It is about control, conformity, and pushing people out of public life.
What you can do:
1. Show up at the hearing!
Our strongest tool is being in the room. When lawmakers look out and see who’s watching, it shapes what they believe... and how they'll vote.
2. Call your Representative
Tell them you oppose H.4756 and expect them to protect students, not target them. Not sure who your rep is? Check here.
3. Contact the Judiciary Committee
Let them know you won't stand for any attacks on our youth SC United's Action Network link.
4. Submit written testimony
You can email the subcommittee your comments before the hearing by emailing HJudAICyberSpecialLaws@schouse.gov
4. Watch online if you can’t attend in person
Bookmark the livestream link so you can still follow and support from home.
Last session, we filled rooms and showed legislators exactly how powerful our community is. Let’s do it again. Let’s remind them who they work for. Let's show them we belong in South Carolina.
In solidarity,
The AFFA Action Team
Urgent: Call Your Reps and Demand They Say “NO” to H.R. 3492 & H.R. 498!
Excerpt:
Tomorrow, the U.S. House will vote on two bills that pose a direct threat to LGBTQ+ people and our healthcare. These measures would criminalize evidence-based gender-affirming care while denying coverage to families who already face economic barriers. Federal attacks like these fuel harmful legislation at the state level, including in South Carolina. This is an urgent call to action: contact your representatives and demand a NO vote.
This is an urgent call to action!
Tomorrow, the U.S. House of Representatives will vote on two dangerous bills that directly threaten LGBTQ+ people, our families, and our healthcare.
H.R. 3492, "Protect Children’s Innocence Act," would punish doctors for providing consensual, science and evidence-based gender-affirming care, while permitting and encouraging non-consensual, irreversible surgeries on intersex infants. (Bill sponsored by Marjorie Taylor Greene.)
H.R. 498, "Do No Harm in Medicaid Act," would prohibit federal Medicaid funds from covering gender-affirming care for adolescents, effectively denying care to families who already face the greatest economic barriers. (Bill sponsored by Dan Crenshaw.)
These bills don’t exist in a vacuum. Federal attacks like these embolden and accelerate harmful legislation at the state level. When we fight back nationally, we practice prevention locally. We must stop bad ideas before they metastasize into law across the country, including right here in South Carolina.
Now is the moment to activate. Call your representatives.
Email them with the templated link below. Demand they vote NO.
Contact your Representatives
Our care is not criminal, and we are pushing back.
We are not standing alone in this fight. Our organization proudly and enthusiastically co-signed a national sign-on letter led by A4TE and supported by more than 160 organizations across the country, calling on Congress to reject H.R. 3492 and refuse to legislate prejudice into health policy. (See an excerpt and our signature below.)
The letter makes clear that this bill is an extreme, discriminatory attack on evidence-based care, threatening providers with up to 10 years in prison and crushing fines for following established medical standards, while carving out protections for non-consensual surgeries on intersex infants. Delivered to every Member of the House on December 11, the message is unmistakable: this bill is dangerous, unjust, and must be stopped.
Thank you for standing with us and countless others as we fight back against harmful legislature. We will continue to update our community as the situation progresses.
In solidarity,
The AFFA Action Team
Anti-Trans Bill Hearing on Thursday
What's happening?
The South Carolina Senate Family and Veterans' Services Child Welfare Subcommittee will hold a hearing on Thursday, February 13, at 10:00 AM in Gressette Room 307 to consider S240, the “Parental Rights to Affirm Biological Sex in Child Welfare and Placement Act.”
What's S240 about?
This bill seeks to amend South Carolina’s child welfare laws to mandate that affirming a child’s "biological sex"—narrowly defined based on anatomy and genetics—be considered a "positive factor" in child welfare, custody, and foster care decisions. It would prohibit courts and agencies from recognizing a caregiver’s refusal to support a child’s gender identity as evidence of abuse, neglect, or unfit parenting.
S240 undermines best practices in child welfare by restricting the ability of courts and professionals to fully assess a child's needs, disregarding expert medical and psychological guidance on gender-affirming care. It could also open the door to conversion therapy practices, which have been widely condemned as harmful.
Quite simply, this bill will further marginalize a group of children who are already marginalized. Oppose S240 and advocate for policies prioritizing the well-being and rights of all children in South Carolina.
What can you do?
Send a Message to the Senate Family and Veterans' Services Child Welfare Subcommittee Members: Click here to send a message telling them to reject S240.
Attend Wednesday's Hearing in Person: An impactful way to speak out is attending the subcommittee hearing on Wednesday in Gressette Room 308 at the South Carolina State House. The SC United Coalition and other partners plan to meet outside of Gressette at 8:30 AM so that we can walk in together.
If you're not able to attend in person, the meeting will be live-streamed here.
Speak Up for LGBTQ+ Youth
Are you passionate about the well-being of children and youth in South Carolina?
This is your opportunity to speak truth to power.
So much of the anti-LGBTQ+ legislation that South Carolinians have grappled with in the past few years— and what we anticipate fighting in 2025— has focused on the welfare of children and youth. Many of you have reached out and asked... What can I do?
This is your opportunity to provide information to legislators from the South Carolina House and Senate, as well as key stakeholders who shape many policies that affect the children of South Carolina. Every year, the committee hosts hearings across South Carolina that offer a unique opportunity to influence the policy-making process from start to finish rather than wait until a bill moves through the legislature.
The Joint Citizens and Legislative Committee on Children is hosting its annual fall hearings. Plan now to attend!
Conway: September 10th: 5:00pm-7:00pm
Horry Georgetown Technical College, Burroughs & Chapin Auditorium, Building 1100B, 2050 US-501 E, Conway, SC.
Columbia: September 17th: 9:00am-12:00pm and 5:00pm-7:00pm
SC State House Grounds, Gressette Building, Room 105, Columbia, SC.
Spartanburg: September 24th: 5:00pm-7:00pm
USC Upstate, Campus Life Center, Ballroom 310, 800 University Way, Spartanburg, SC.
Charleston: October 3rd: 5:00pm-7:00pm
Charleston County Council Chambers, 4045 Bridge View Dr., North Charleston, SC.
To testify, you will need to sign up in advance. Please email the committee at ChildrensCommittee@sc.edu. The hearings will be live-streamed on the State House website. Additionally, written testimony will be accepted until October 4th. If you have any questions about the process or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact action@affa-sc.org.
Tell Governor McMaster to Veto H.4624
Both the South Carolina House and Senate have now passed H.4624 - a bill that would cause harm to both transgender minors and some adults in the state. This means the bill now heads to the Governor's desk.
We know this fight has been unspeakably difficult. Please take a moment and send Governor McMaster a message asking him to VETO H.4624. You can also call his office at 803.734.2100.
Take Action on H.4624
H.4624, a bill that would ban gender-affirming care for minors and some adults in the state, is on its way to the Senate floor and we need all hands on deck. If we don't stop this bill in the Senate, it will move to the Governor's desk, and then it's only one signature away from becoming law.
Here's what we need from you today:
Call your Senator using this link from WREN. Enter your address, and you will receive a call explaining the recommended talking points for this bill before being connected to your Senator's office.
Email your Senator using this link. Even if you have already emailed in the past, we need to flood lawmakers' inboxes. Share this link with your loved ones and urge them to take action!
Show up at the State House Tomorrow— Fill out this form from SC United for Justice and Equality to let their Organizing Team know that you're interested in coming in-person! A vote on this bill will likely happen this week.
NOTE: Even if your Senator is not a Republican, we urge you to contact them. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are being pushed to support this bill, and we need you to make your voice heard.
H.4624 to be Taken Up on Senate Floor
This week, the Senate Medical Affairs Committee voted along party lines to advance H.4624, a bill that would ban gender-affirming care for minors and some adults in South Carolina. We are now waiting for the bill to come up on the Senate floor.
We may be waiting, but you can still take action to help stop this bill.
Contact your Senator: Click here to send a message to your Senator and tell them to reject H.4624. Help us reach our goal of sending 500 letters to Senators about this bill!
H.4624 Heads to Full Committee on February 29
This week, the Senate Medical Affairs Subcommittee voted along party lines to advance H.4624, a bill that would ban gender-affirming care for minors and some adults in South Carolina.
The full committee hearing will be on Thursday, February 29, 2024, at 9:00am in Gressette Building Room 209.
This is not the result we wanted, but we are going to keep fighting. Throughout this legislative session, we've had an outpouring of support for our trans siblings and their loved ones. The relationships we're building in our work are vitally important, and we remain hopeful that we can stop this bill. For now, we regroup and move on to the next stage of our fight.
Ways to Take Action:
Contact your Senator: Click here to send a message to your Senator and tell them to reject H.4624. Help us reach our goal of sending 400 letters to Senators about this bill!
Attend the full committee hearing in person next Thursday at 9:00am: There is power in our presence. Let us know if you're planning to show up next Thursday for the committee hearing.
Tune into the live stream on Thursday, February 29, 2024: Not able to attend in person? Click here to view the live stream.
Senate Subcommittee Hearing on H.4624 on February 14, 2024
We've just received word that the Medical Affairs Subcommittee of the South Carolina Senate has scheduled a hearing for H.4624, a bill proposing a ban on gender-affirming care. The hearing will take place on Wednesday, February 14 at 10:00 am.
If the bill passes the subcommittee, the full Senate Medical Affairs Committee will likely consider it at their regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, February 15th.
3 Ways to Take Action:
Contact your Senator: Click here to send a message to your Senator and tell them to reject H.4624.
Attend Wednesday's Hearing in Person: Show the Senate that we mean business by attending the subcommittee hearing on Wednesday in Room 308 in the Gressette Building (1101 Pendleton Street, Columbia, SC). Sign-ups will be available at the door 30 minutes before the hearing, but the subcommittee will only allow "equal participation from both perspectives," so if only 1 person shows up to speak in favor of the bill, only 1 person may be allowed to speak against it. Reply to this email and let us know if you plan to come so that we can provide support if needed.
Submit Written Testimony: You can submit your input by sending an email to scmedicomm@scsenate.gov. Please use the bill number (H. 4624) in the subject line of your email. All written testimony should be received by noon on Monday.
If you have any questions about this bill or action you can take, please reach out to us at action@affa-sc.org.
Tell Your Senator: Reject the Anti-Trans Healthcare Bill
Don't Give Up Now: Take Action and Tell Your Senator to Reject the Anti-Trans Healthcare Bill
On January 17, 2024, the South Carolina House of Representatives passed H.4624, a bill that would ban gender-affirming care for minors and some adults in the state. If we don't stop this bill in the Senate, it will move to the Governor's desk, and then it's only one signature away from becoming law. Now is the time to tell your Senator: Reject this cruel bill!
If you have any questions about this bill or action you can take, please reach out to us at action@affa-sc.org.
Anti-Transgender Healthcare Ban Passes Out of SC House
Today, AFFA Action Executive Director Chase Glenn, joined other community members, allies, families, and advocates at the State House, to continue to voice our opposition to H. 4624 – the cruel anti-transgender healthcare ban bill.
Even with the incredible opposition to the bill that was voiced by community members last week, the hundreds of messages that have been sent to legislators in the past 5 days, and general public outcry, the SC House of Representatives still voted along party lines to pass H.4624.
The next stop is the Senate. We are waiting now to hear when this bill will be given a hearing in the Senate Medical Affairs Committee.
Take action now. Contact your Senator and tell them to REJECT H.4624.
If you have any questions about this bill or action you can take, please reach out to us at action@affa-sc.org.
Anti-Transgender Healthcare Ban Advances in SC House
I've been up in Columbia this week and on Tuesday, our community had a tremendous showing in the SC House subcommittee hearing for H.4624 — the anti-transgender healthcare ban bill. 49 of our community members and allies braved severe weather and drove from across the state to testify against this dangerous bill. 1 single person — a staff member of an out-of-state far-right organization — testified virtually in favor of the bill.
Yet, yesterday, the House Medical, Military, and Municipal Affairs committee voted to advance H.4624 along party lines.
Take Action Now:
Contact Your Representative
Tell them to stop this senseless attack on transgender youth in South Carolina! Send a message urging them to vote NO on H.4624.
Thank you to Reps. Wendell Gilliard, Wendell Jones, JA Moore and Marvin Pendarvis, who were steadfast in their vocal support of our community today.
Email your thanks now:
Rep. Wendell Gilliard
Rep. Wendell Jones
Rep. JA Moore
Rep. Marvin Pendarvis
I was one of the nearly 50 people who testified against H.4624. As a transgender man, I’ve never been more ashamed of my state lawmakers – but I’ve also never been more proud of my fellow South Carolinians who are speaking out forcefully to defend transgender youth.
South Carolina is one of the last states in the South where transgender youth can access gender-affirming care – and we need to keep it that way.
Thank you,
Chase Glenn
Executive Director, AFFA Action
Gender Affirming Care Ban Hearing Scheduled
Gender Affirming Care Ban Hearing Scheduled for Tuesday, January 9, 2024
The Medical and Health Affairs Subcommittee of the South Carolina House of Representatives has scheduled a hearing for H.4624, a bill proposing a ban on gender affirming care. The hearing will take place on Tuesday, January 9, 2024 – i.e. the first day of session.
The supporters of this cruel bill mean business– but so do we! Now is the time. We need you to show up and show your support for our community!
5 Ways to Take Action:
Send a Message to the Medical and Health Affairs Subcommittee Members: Click here to send a message telling them to reject H.4624 and stop attacking medically necessary health care for transgender youth.
Attend the AFFA Action Advocacy Training this Saturday, January 6: Get all of the latest information on this bill, messaging/testimony tips, and how you can get involved and take action this legislative session. Register here. Seating is limited.
Attend Tuesday’s Hearing in Person: The most impactful way to speak out is in person – by attending the subcommittee hearing on Tuesday in Room 427 in the Blatt Building of the South Carolina State House. To do that, you can only sign up in person 30 minutes prior to the hearing. We expect the subcommittee hearing to begin Tuesday afternoon; folks who plan on attending should convene with us at 1:45pm. Reply to this email and let us know if you plan to come, so that we can provide support, if needed.
Sign Up to Testify Virtually: You can provide oral testimony via Microsoft Teams. To sign up, send an email 3M1Health@schouse.gov by noon on Friday 1/4 to receive an invitation the day before the meeting. Note that sometimes Teams does not function properly because of tech issues and you may not be able to testify.
Submit Written Testimony: If you cannot attend the meeting virtually or in person, you may submit your testimony opposing H.4624 by writing it out and emailing it to 3M1Health@schouse.gov by noon on Friday 1/4.
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