South Carolina Becomes 16th State To Ban Transgender Student Athlete Participation

Topline

South Carolina banned transgender student athletes from sports that align with their gender identity in public schools and colleges Monday when Gov. Henry McMaster unceremoniously signed the bill tagged “Save Women’s Sports Act” into law.

Key Facts

Transgender students enrolled in South Carolina public schools are required to compete with the gender listed on their birth certificate under the new law, which went into effect upon governor’s approval Monday.

Private schools were not expressly prohibited under the new law from allowing transgender athlete participation, but private schools that compete with public schools must comply as well.

The law blocked schools and student athletic associations from retaliating against students who report a transgender athlete for violating the law.

The bill and its supporters cited the need for “fairness in women’s sports” with the claim there’s a biological upperhand for transgender girls who were born males and are therefore stronger.

Opponents argued the ban is “cruel” and unnecessarily stigmatizes youth who are pursuing team activities to learn skills and make friends.

McMaster’s signature made South Carolina the eighth state this year to pass legislation barring transgender athletes and the 16th state overall.

Key Background

The bill, introduced by Republican Rep. Ashley Trantham, faced strong opposition from across the aisle when House Democrats rolled out roughly 1,000 amendments to stall the bill’s movement in April. The Democrats’ attempt was sidestepped by the state’s Republican-heavy House of Representatives with a vote of 82-28. Idaho and West Virginia passed similar legislation, but courts temporarily blocked the law. GOP lawmakers produced 238 bills across the country this year targeting the transgender and LGBTQ community. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey’s signature on a bill to outlaw puberty blockers and hormones for transgender minors was blocked by an Alabama judge May 13. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott directed the state to investigate parents of transgender children for child abuse in February. Report the details…

Crucial Quote

“I think the girls ought to play girls and the boys ought to play boys. That’s the way we’ve always done it,” said McMaster.

Chief Critic

The ban drew criticism from the largest LGBTQ advocacy group and political lobbying organization, Human Rights Campaign, whose state legislative director Cathryn Oakley said: “Transgender people have participated uneventfully in school athletics for decades, and this issue is simply manufactured to further distract and divide us. This bill is not about fairness for women, it’s about attacking a marginalized group that is already bearing the weight of discrimination.”

Further Reading

South Carolina becomes the latest state to enact a transgender sports ban (NPR)

South Carolina House passes transgender sports bill despite Democratic stall tactic of introducing 1,000 amendments (CBS News)