RSVP for a Training to Prepare to Testify at the SC Children’s Committee Hearings on Behalf of LGBTQ+ Youth
So many of the anti-LGBTQ+ legislation that South Carolinians have grappled with in the past few years – and what we anticipate having to fight in 2024 – focus on the welfare of children. We’re grateful, then, that the Joint Citizens and Legislative Committee on Children is gearing up to host their fall 2023 public hearings.
This is an amazing opportunity to provide information to legislators from the South Carolina House and Senate, as well as key stakeholders who shape many policies that affect the children of South Carolina. Every year the committee hosts hearings across South Carolina that offer a unique opportunity to influence the policy making process from start to finish, rather than waiting until a bill is actively moving through the legislature.
The Joint Citizens and Legislative Committee on Children will host their annual fall hearings:
Columbia on September 7th (9am-12pm, 5pm-8pm) at the South Carolina State House
Greenville on September 12th (5-7pm) at the Greenville City Council
Florence on October 5th (5-7pm) at Francis Marion University
Charleston on October 17th (5-7pm) at Charleston County Council
To testify, you must sign up in advance. Please send the committee an e-mail at comments@mailbox.sc.edu to sign-up for one of the four hearings across the state.
What should be in your testimony? Come speak to the Committee about your experiences regarding the well-being of children in South Carolina – and why anti-LGBTQ+ legislation harms youth. Who should come speak? The committee needs feedback from parents, families, teachers, organizations, and anyone else working with children to help shape their research and future legislation to benefit children.
SC United for Justice & Equality, in partnership with other organizations across the state, will host a Testifier Training and Overview on Wednesday, August 30. If you are interested in taking action but aren’t sure where to start, what to say, or what topics to cover, please sign up below and we’ll talk you through it!