Contact: press@scdp.org, 803-832-0819
SCDP CHAIR TRAV ROBERTSON, JR. RESPONDS TO LATEST DISCRIMINATORY LEGISLATION INTRODUCED IN STATE HOUSE
Legislators in the General Assembly have stripped House Bill 3620, the State’s first attempt at any kind of hate crimes law, of any and all protection for South Carolinians, based on their gender or sexual identification. This is coupled with the phony Save Women’s Sports Act, which unfairly targets transgender youth and a latest attempt by legislators to further punish members of the LGBTQ+ community with the introduction of House Bill 4047, SC Minor Child Compassion and Protection Act.
“Today, I call on members of the South Carolina House to fix House Bill 3620 as it moves to the full Judiciary Committee to include protections for South Carolinians based on gender and sexual orientation” said SCDP Chair Trav Robertson, Jr. “It doesn’t make sense for South Carolina to finally join 47 other states in passing a hate crimes law, when it doesn’t provide protections for all citizens. This should not be a Democratic or Republican issue. This is about decency and common sense.
Additionally House Bill 4047 will criminalize not just the affirmation of one’s gender, but would turn teachers and faculty into criminals for simply listening to students. Government should never replace the advice of sound medical counsel, provided by professional practitioners. While the author of this bill is a Democrat, I ask all Democratic legislators to stand in firm opposition to this bill.”
###
