SC senators continue hearings on transgender bathroom bill

COLUMBIA, SC (AP) — South Carolina senators are taking more testimony on a bill limiting the bathroom choices for transgender people, as debate on similar bills continues across the South.

Most of the people at Wednesday’s hearing opposed the measure. Only a fraction of attendees could fit inside the room. A larger room has been reserved Thursday.

Republican Sen. Lee Bright says his bill is about the privacy and safety of women and children.

Transgender people say the proposal puts them in danger of harassment and violence. Opponents also say it would cause economic fallout, as North Carolina’s law did.

The proposal requires multistall bathrooms on public property to be used “based on biological sex.” It would also bar local governments from requiring businesses to let transgender people use the bathroom of their choice.

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