A bill that would ban transgender youth from participating in middle and high school sports was passed by a House Judiciary subcommittee in a vote of three to one on Wednesday.
H.3477 or the “Save Women’s Sports Act” would limit participation in middle and high school women’s sports to only those who were designated female at birth, thus banning trans students from participating. The bill states that this action serves to “ensure continued inclusivity of females in the school sports arena” but actively excludes trans girls from what is an integral part of many children’s educational experience.
Molly Spearman, the state’s Superintendent of Education, criticized the bill for the potential harm it may cause to trans youth. “My responsibility as state superintendent is to make sure every child feels protected when they are in school and when they’re on the athletic field,” she said. “I believe this bill does damage to that.”
Studies have found that participating in athletics is an affirming experience for trans youth and yields positive outcomes, including improved emotional regulation, decreased suicidality, higher self-esteem, and greater feelings of school belonging and pro-school behaviors. This bill would only further isolate and exclude trans youth, thus increasing their likelihood of experiencing negative health and life outcomes.
Beyond the fact that the “Save Women’s Sports Act” is antiquated and discrminatory, it’s also completely unwarranted. Since 2016, only two trans girls have applied for a waiver from the South Carolina High School League to participate in women’s sports, making it clear that this bill is nothing more than political showmanship.
With H.3477, the South Carolina GOP is once again proving something we already knew: that their priorities are not in the right place. This bill comes right on the heels of the passage of the fetal heartbeat abortion ban and the introduction of the open carry bill. Now, the “Save Women’s Sports Act” waits to be considered in the full Judiciary Committee and will likely be on the House floor in the next few weeks. For a bill to reach the floor this early in the first year of a two-year session, it must be a big priority for the party in control.
H.3477 is also one of the first education bills to be considered by the legislature this year, wasting valuable time and resources that could be used to address the state’s teacher shortage or to increase teacher salary.
It’s clear that Republicans are more concerned with fighting in the culture war than tackling many of the real issues facing South Carolinians every day. It’s reprehensible that trans youth must be casualties in their poor governance.