South Carolina House OKs ban on gender-affirming care for minors

By JAMES POLLARD and SUMMER BALLENTINE
Associated Press

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A proposed ban on gender-affirming care for transgender minors has been approved overwhelmingly by the Republican-led South Carolina House. The measure would bar health professionals from performing gender-transition surgeries, prescribing puberty-blocking drugs and overseeing hormone treatments for patients under 18 years old. The 82-23 vote comes as Republican-led statehouses nationwide are restricting transgender people’s access to health care, sports leagues and bathrooms that align with their identity. The South Carolina measure will soon head to the state Senate.