Co-sponsored by Upstate Pride SC, PFLAG Spartanburg, and Gender Benders

Senator Bright’s proposal, inspired by North Carolina’s recent devastating legislation, does more than deny transgender citizens of South Carolina the human dignity of using the correct restroom. His proposal denies trans people the right to their identity and puts them in danger.

If the legislature approves S.1203, local governments will be barred from creating inclusive ordinances that grant trans people access to restrooms that align with their gender identity. It also prohibits schools from allowing trans students to use their preferred restroom and would even require all public restrooms in the state be “designated for and only used by a person based on his biological sex.”

S.1203 is based on hurtful myths about trans folk that have been debunked over and over again and only serve to demonize those Senator Bright simply does not understand.

State law should not be founded upon myth, fear, and misinformation.

Bright’s proposal says loud and clear that South Carolina is a discriminatory state. It says loud and clear that South Carolina is misinformed about sex and gender identity. It says loud and clear that South Carolina does not value all life on the human spectrum.

This proposal mirrors North Carolina’s legislation HB2 (Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act) that passed at the end of March, which blocks local governments from creating non-discrimination ordinances. In reaction, many companies, like Pepsi and Paypal, have cancelled plans for expansion that would create jobs and stimulate the economy. Some U.S. cities have banned travel to North Carolina because of HB2, hurting the state’s tourism and economic well-being.

Despite widespread agreement that HB2 is and will continue to hurt North Carolina’s economy and the state’s trans community, Bright’s proposal has already been read on the floor and passed on to the general committee.

S.1203 cannot advance any further.

Our state is supposed to be one of smiling faces and beautiful places, not of bigotry and hatefulness. The Palmetto State is home to people of all gender expressions and sexual identities, and it’s time that Senator Bright came to terms with the fact that he answers to a diverse population that is deserving of a voice, of identity, and of human dignity.

Stand up and tell Bright and Governor Nikki Haley that South Carolina will not allow S.1203 to pass.