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
