The fate of South Carolina's transgender residents remains uncertain as lawmakers consider two bills that would ban gender-affirming healthcare for transgender youth and restrict residents from being able to change the gender on their birth certificate.

Lynn Teague with the League of Women Voters questioned if the state had a compelling interest in restricting transgender rights. No person younger than 18 was receiving gender transitioning surgery in South Carolina. The few people who destransitioned and testified in support of the bill were over 18 when they got surgical procedures done and got it out of South Carolina, Teague said.

We don't prohibit every medical procedure that can turn out badly," Teague said. "If we did, no one would ever get knee replacement or back surgery.

Much of Teague's argument is likely to be the crux of a lawsuit if the bill becomes law. Currently, similar laws are blocked by federal judges in Alabama and Arkansas.

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