Families of transgender youth in South Carolina are grappling with the passage of H.4624, a broad intrusion into medically necessary healthcare for transgender South Carolinians. A core component would ban medically necessary healthcare for transgender youth under the age of 18 in South Carolina, including puberty blockers, hormone therapy, and surgery.
In response, advocates have come together to launch resources to support families navigating this challenging period. Families of transgender youth in South Carolina are now eligible to apply for support from the Southern Trans Youth Emergency Project (STYEP), a regional project of the Campaign for Southern Equality, led in partnership in SC with We Are Family, Uplift Outreach Center, and the Harriet Hancock Center. The project helps transgender youth whose access to gender-affirming care has been disrupted by government policies. Through STYEP, families can receive accurate information about H.4624; patient navigation to identify out-of-state gender-affirming care providers; and emergency grants of $500 for immediate needs, including travel, medication, and other logistics. Families can request support at www.southernequality.org/SCResources.
H.4624 has other impacts on transgender South Carolinians, too. It prohibits public funds and Medicaid from being used to cover the cost of transition-related healthcare for transgender people of any age – which could result in providers of gender-affirming care who receive public funds to restrict care, and would impact transgender people insured through the state employee healthcare plan. It also encourages school professionals to “out” students to their parents if they ask to go by a different name or pronouns, potentially before they are ready to share.
Partner organizations in South Carolina are youth-serving organizations based all across South Carolina – We Are Family, a statewide organization with roots and headquarters in the Lowcountry; Harriet Hancock Center, based in Columbia in the Midlands, and Uplift Outreach Center in the Upstate.
Domenico Ruggerio (they/he pronouns), Executive Director of We Are Family, said today:
“South Carolina lawmakers have turned their backs on transgender youth and passed this dangerous bill, which will needlessly and cruelly disrupt the lives of trans people in our state. But our community is prepared to support families through this crisis – and we’ll never stop working toward a state where transgender and gender nonconforming people in South Carolina can be themselves and live with peace and power.”
Raymond Velazquez (he/him pronouns), Executive Director of the Uplift Outreach Center, said:
“Healthcare is a human right – and it breaks my heart to see lawmakers rip away life-affirming and often life-saving medical care from transgender youth in South Carolina. No one should be forced to leave their home state to access the care that they need and deserve. Through this program, we will ensure that families and young people understand that they have options – and that support is available to help them.”
Cristina Picozzi (she/they pronouns), Executive Director of the Harriet Hancock Center, added:
“To all of the young people in South Carolina and their parents who are reading this news and feeling fear for the future, please know: No law can change the fact that you are worthy of dignity, equality, joy, and respect. We will never stop working to support transgender South Carolinians, and we are sending love, support, and strength far and wide.”
Ivy Hill (they/them pronouns), Director of Gender Justice for the Campaign for Southern Equality and a lifelong South Carolinian, said:
“It has been an honor to organize alongside so many courageous trans and queer South Carolinians – and I’m proud that our community staved off this oppressive anti-trans healthcare legislation for more than three years. But now that the bill is poised to become law, it’s up to all of us to preserve continuity of care for as many people as we can. That’s what this project is all about: Supporting trans youth and their families and ensuring they know that no law can stop the transgender community from charting our paths to a future where all of us can thrive and live authentically.”
Those interested in requesting support from the Southern Trans Youth Emergency Project can visit www.southernequality.org/SCResources.
