ACLU Sues South Carolina Over Transgender Care Law

A lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and its South Carolina chapter challenges the state's recently enacted law, H. 4624, which bans gender-affirming medical care for minors and restricts access for adults by prohibiting public funding for such treatments. The plaintiffs, including transgender individuals and their families, argue that the law violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment and other anti-discrimination laws, as it imposes a double standard in healthcare access. The law has already led to the Medical University of South Carolina halting gender-affirming treatments, impacting individuals like lead plaintiff Sterling Misanin, whose planned surgery was canceled. ACLU's Executive Director condemned the law as unconstitutional, stating it infringes on parental rights and medical decision-making. The lawsuit seeks to block key elements of the law before it takes full effect on January 1, 2025. This case represents one of the most stringent anti-trans laws in the nation, igniting significant opposition from the transgender community and advocacy groups.