The fourth installment of the State House Dispatch includes events, updates, ways to take action, and resources for learning more about the issues being considered in the legislature.
Three Ways to Support Transgender People
Read this week's post from our Executive Director, Jace Woodrum. In the post, he shares a bit about his experience as a transgender man and invites us to take action to protect transgender youth and the adults who care for them (like parents, educators, physicians).
Attend the Meet Me At the Statehouse Day of Action March 8th in Columbia. SC United for Justice and Equality is hosting a day of action at the State House and it's an opportunity for LGBTQ community members and allies to come together and work to defeat the anti-transgender bills up for consideration.
Learn More and RSVP
Take action using the link below to urge your Senator to reject unconstitutional bans on gender affirming care:
Tell Lawmakers: No Bans on Health Care
On Urgency & The Good Stuff
We have good news: this legislative session won't last forever; it just feels like that sometimes. But we also have bad news: bills don't have too much time left to start moving through the legislative process if they are to have a chance at becoming law. There are two critical bills filed this session that are opportunities for us to champion legislation that would make life better for a lot of South Carolinians.
Eviction Right to Counsel- This bill would provide legal representation for renters facing eviction who make less than 125% of the federal poverty line. If this bill becomes law, more than 18,000 people a year could avoid eviction, landlords could avoid costly collections processes, and the state could save money on housing support services. First order of business—telling our lawmakers to give Eviction Right to Counsel a hearing so we can make our case.
Ban the Box- In recent years, communities have enacted legislation that would prevent employers from asking about applicants' criminal records on job applications. The SC Senate could consider S.25, which would "ban the box" that asks about prior convictions on state job applications, reducing the likelihood that formerly incarcerated workers are rejected from the hiring process before having the opportunity to interview. This is one of those times where two things can be true: there is so much more to do when it comes to creating opportunity for individuals who have paid their debts to society, and this bill is an important step forward. Tell your Senators to consider S.25!
Some Good News
While today may be the last day of Black History Month, the time is always right to celebrate Black history, Black art, and Black joy. Keep the party going:
Jon Batiste on the Joy of Black Music (ACLU At Liberty Podcast)
Author George Johnson on Writing Black, Queer, and Banned Stories