South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster has signed into law House Bill 4756, which will require transgender students in South Carolina public schools and universities to use restrooms and changing facilities that do not match their gender.
ACLU of South Carolina Executive Director Jace Woodrum, who is the first transgender director of a state ACLU affiliate, gave the following statement:
“We all care about safety and privacy for students; this law isn't about that. This law is about making life harder for a small group of students who already face higher risks of bullying, harassment, and violence.
“Transgender people have always been a part of our communities. For decades, educators have ensured the safety and privacy of all students without banishing transgender young people. Just ten years ago, the state's Republican leaders considered laws like this to be unnecessary and harmful. Today, transgender people are an obsession for politicians who'd rather target vulnerable kids than solve the real problems we face.
“Our lawmakers have a responsibility to protect all students, including transgender youth. If our legislators were really worried about privacy and safety, they'd invest in stalls, privacy screens, and single-user facilities. Instead, they want to treat transgender youth like outcasts and force them to use portable toilets outside.
“These callous acts by our state lawmakers do not reflect the values and priorities of South Carolinians who believe that all students, including transgender students, should have a fair chance to succeed. To transgender South Carolinians who are feeling despair, know this: we are still here, and we will never stop fighting alongside you.”
Gov. McMaster signed the bill into law on Friday, May 15. In the course of advancing the bill, the South Carolina Senate amended H. 4756 so that schools can install a temporary outdoor facility for transgender students — in other words, a porta-potty. The bill signed by the governor includes that amendment.
The new law affects both children and adults. It threatens to cut 25% of state operations funding to any school district, college, or university found to be in violation. The law also enables people to file lawsuits against schools if they believe a person has entered the “wrong” facility.