South Carolina’s Republican Governor Nikki Haley Says Anti-Transgender Bill is Not Necessary

Today South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, a Republican, responded to questions about a shameful bill filed yesterday in the South Carolina Legislature. The bill, S. 1203, is another attempt to criminalize transgender people for being who they are by restricting their access to restrooms. It would require all people in South Carolina to use the restroom that aligns with the gender on their birth certificate, ignoring their gender identity.

Governor Haley condemned the bill today, saying it was completely unnecessary. She said:

“I don’t believe it’s necessary. There’s not one instance that I’m aware of. When we look at our situation, we’re not hearing of anybody’s religious liberties that are being violated, and we’re again not hearing any citizens that are being violated in terms of freedoms. Like it or not, South Carolina is doing really well when it comes to respect and when it comes to kindness and when it comes to acceptance. For people to imply it’s not, I beg to differ.”

Governor Haley continued, “While other states are having this battle, this is not a battle that we’ve seen is needed in South Carolina,” Haley said. “And it’s not something that we see that citizens are asking for in South Carolina.”