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South Carolina governor signs gender-affirming healthcare ban into law

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South Carolina governor signs gender-affirming healthcare ban into law


South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster on Tuesday signed into law a gender-affirming healthcare ban for transgender minors.

House Bill (HB) 4624, known as the Help Not Harm bill, prohibits physicians, mental health providers and other healthcare professionals from “knowingly” providing gender-transition procedures to individuals under eighteen years of age. HB 4624 defines “gender transition procedures” as puberty-blocking drugs, cross-sex hormones or gender reassignment surgery “provided or performed for the purpose of assisting an individual with a physical gender transition.”

Healthcare professionals can continue to temporarily provide hormone treatments and puberty blockers to minors who are prescribed such treatment before August 1, 2024. The professional must determine and document that immediate termination of the treatment “would cause harm” to that individual, and the period for continued treatment must end by January 31, 2025.

The law further requires schools to notify the parents or guardians of minor students if the child has told a school employee that their gender is “inconsistent with” their sex or asks a school employee to address them by “a pronoun or title that does not align with the minor’s sex.”

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House Representative Sylleste Davis stated in January that HB 4624 protects children by “ensuring they are not exposed to irreversible medical procedures at an age when they are most vulnerable.” McMaster offered a similar sentiment in January, stating the bill was “a good idea to keep our young people healthy and safe.”

Critics of HB 4624, however, emphasize the harm that the law will impose on transgender youth. Director of Communications for the Women’s Rights and Empowerment Network Kelli Parker stated, “Rather than prioritizing the real issues facing South Carolinians, our lawmakers shamefully chose to promote hate, fear, and discrimination under the guise of ‘protecting kids.’” Parker added, “Laws that block essential healthcare violate human rights and are a major setback for equality.”

The ACLU of South Carolina announced its opposition to the bill earlier this year, stating that gender-affirming care “is a best practice backed by scientific evidence and endorsed by leading medical organizations.” The organization also noted that such care is “life-saving” and “is the only effective treatment for trans youth to prevent self-harm and suicidal ideation.”

Critics have further emphasized that doctors and patients testified before the legislative committees that gender-transition surgeries are currently unavailable to minors in South Carolina and that patients can only begin hormone treatments after “extensive consultation with health professionals” and the consent of parents or legal guardians.

South Carolina is now the 25th state to restrict or ban gender-affirming treatment for minors. Similar legislation has been introduced in states such as West Virginia, Ohio, and Louisiana in the past few years, representing a spike in legislation that targets the LGBTQ+ community. Last month, the US Supreme Court allowed a gender-affirming care ban for minors in Idaho to go into effect, while the governor of Kansas vetoed a state ban on such care.

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The ACLU is currently tracking 515 anti-LGBTQ+ bills in the US. Other types of bills targeting LGBTQ+ youth include policies that restrict personal pronoun usage in schools, prohibit transgender athletes from participating on sports teams that do not correspond with their sex assigned at birth, and limit transgender students’ access to bathrooms that align with their gender identity.

 



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South-Carolina

'General Hospital' star Johnny Wactor's funeral held in South Carolina after his fatal shooting in Los Angeles

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'General Hospital' star Johnny Wactor's funeral held in South Carolina after his fatal shooting in Los Angeles


“General Hospital” star Johnny Wactor was remembered by family and friends at his funeral service in his home state of South Carolina three weeks after he was killed in Los Angeles.

The actor died May 25 at the age of 37 after he was fatally shot when he approached three individuals who were attempting to steal his car’s catalytic converter in downtown Los Angeles. 

On Saturday afternoon, mourners gathered for Wactor’s funeral at the Summerville Baptist Church in Summerville, South Carolina. The service was held by Wactor’s family, including his mother, Scarlett, and brothers, Grant and Lance.

‘GENERAL HOSPITAL’ ACTOR JOHNNY WACTOR’S KILLER AT LARGE, LAPD SHARES NEW DETAILS ABOUT THREE SUSPECTS

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“General Hospital” star Johnny Wactor was laid to rest on Saturday. (Getty/Fox News)

Among the attendees were Wactor’s friend Micah Parker and co-worker Anita Joy. Earlier this week, Parker and Grant organized a rally in Los Angeles seeking justice for the actor, whose killers remain at large. In the final moments of his life, Wactor defended Joy by stepping in front of her before he was shot.

‘GENERAL HOSPITAL’ STAR JOHNNY WACTOR’S HORRIFIC FINAL MOMENTS AFTER BEING SHOT BY ‘COWARD’ KILLER: CO-WORKER

“Laid to Rest. But still so present with us,” Parker wrote on Instagram as he shared an image of a framed photo of Wactor.

Parker also uploaded an image of floral arrangements and framed portraits of Wactor that were displayed on the steps of the altar during the service. On the photo, he tagged the Instagram page @justiceforjohnnywactor, which provides updates from Wactor’s family and friends on the search for his murderers.

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People attend a funeral a church for Johnny Wactor

Family and friends attend a memorial service for the slain actor at Summerville Baptist Church, in Summerville, South Carolina. (The Image Direct for Fox News Digital)

People attend a funeral a church for Johnny Wactor

Wactor’s family held his funeral service in their home state. (The Image Direct for Fox News Digital)

People attend a funeral a church for Johnny Wactor

Wactor was shot and killed when he encountered a trio of alleged thieves who were in the process of stealing his catalytic converter. (The Image Direct for Fox News Digital)

On her Instagram Story, Joy posted an image of the funeral program, which featured a photo of Wactor, writing, “Today was beautiful for you, Johnny. We love you.” 

In another post, Joy wrote “Unbelievable. But you are so loved,” on a photo of one of Wactor’s funeral portraits.

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In an emotional post that Joy shared last month, she recalled how she and Wactor were walking to their cars after a bartending shift at the downtown L.A. bar Level 8 when they encountered the three individuals who were attempting to steal the catalytic converter. 

“Johnny was between me and the man who shot him,” she wrote. “As I heard the shot ring into the night, he forcefully tumbled back into my arms. As I grabbed for him, I shouted ‘Hunny you ok?!’ And he only responded, ‘Nope! Shot!’ We toppled onto the street where I pushed my legs under him and tried to hold his body up while screaming for help and screaming at him to stay with me.” 

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“I’m so grateful to have been a part of his world and him, mine. My heart is shattered with his loss but I believe l have gained the best guardian Angel out there. I love you Johnny Wacky,” Joy concluded. 

johnny wactors portrait at funeral

Wactor’s friend Micah Parker shared photos from inside the service. (Micah Parker Instagram)

the altar at johnny wactors funeral

Parker and Wactor’s brother, Grant, led a protest rally in LA seeking justice for the actor. (Micah Parker Instagram)

Scarlett had previously confirmed that Parker and Joy would be attending the service. She told Fox News Digital that she was looking forward to meeting Joy for the first time.

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“I told Anita that ‘God must have big plans for her,’ and then I said, ‘Johnny’s death has got to be bigger than all that,’” Scarlett said. “So, for it to make a change, like what we’re asking the city to do and change, that would at least be something.”

Wactor’s obituary, which was featured in the funeral program, noted that the actor had been murdered while “heroically shielding his co-worker.” 

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People attend a funeral a church for Johnny Wactor

In the final moments of his life, Wactor protected his co-worker Anita Joy. (The Image Direct for Fox News Digital)

People attend a funeral a church for Johnny Wactor

Joy was also in attendance at the funeral. (The Image Direct for Fox News Digital)

“Johnny stood up for what he believed in and remains an example of how to live life with non-negotiable integrity and grit,” read the obituary. “He found solace and serenity with his loving family, on the mountain, climbing, being a proud big brother to Lance and Grant, with the boys, just talking to his mother, in play, always outside, in nature.”

“A man brimming with magnetism and humility. A pure life force, passion Personified, awaking in the early mornings with purpose, ready to go. Johnny’s love will be remembered and felt by all. Forever leaving an everlasting mark on this world.”

The program also included Bible passages from the Gospel of Matthew, the Gospel of John and the Book of Job.

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Johnny Wactor in promotional photo on white background

Wactor’s mother Scarlett said that she hopes people “continue to pray” for justice. (Craig Sjodin/ABC via Getty Images)

People attend a funeral a church for Johnny Wactor

Scarlett said that she believes that “justice is coming.” (The Image Direct for Fox News Digital)

While speaking with Fox News Digital earlier this week, Scarlett commended the efforts being made by Wactor’s friends in Los Angeles, who launched the #JusticeforJohnny movement to find his killers. 

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As the investigation led by LAPD continues and the movement grows, Scarlett said she is asking “people to continue to pray.” 

“I really do think justice is coming. I just hope it’s sooner rather than later. And I think God’s help is what they’re going to need. Because it sounds like there’s some really weak laws and help for the police department, unfortunately. I feel for them.”



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Authorities announce memorial service for K9 killed in shooting, McMaster to attend

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Authorities announce memorial service for K9 killed in shooting, McMaster to attend


COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) – The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) announced they will be holding a memorial service to honor Coba, a K9 who was killed in the line of duty on Tuesday.

Coba was a member of the team who responded to a home on Gravel Road in an attempt to serve a felony warrant to James Peterson, 37. When he was confronted by Coba, his handler and a deputy with the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office inside the home’s hallway, Peterson shot the K9. Coba was rushed to an emergency veterinarian but died from his wounds later that day.

The ceremony will take place at the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy at 5400 Broad River Road at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, June 19.

Gov. Henry McMaster said he is planning to attend the memorial.

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Officials ask that guests not bring pets but law enforcement K9s are welcome.

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Chihuahua overdoses at South Carolina motel, owners arrested: police report

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Chihuahua overdoses at South Carolina motel, owners arrested: police report


MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — The owners of a 15-pound chihuahua have pleaded guilty to charges after the dog allegedly overdosed on heroin and cocaine at a motel in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, according to police documents.

Myrtle Beach police charged Shane Harris and Serrena Young with mistreatment of an animal after the May 27 incident at the Palmetto Vista Motel. Young was also charged with possession with intent to deliver heroin. They were both taken to the Myrtle Beach Jail.

According to a police report, a Myrtle Beach firefighter gave the dog Narcan, the opioid-reversal medication, using a nebulizer machine after a home health aide who had been with Harris and Young at the motel brought it to the fire station.

The dog received a full nasal dose of Narcan, and after it was revived, it was given oxygen and taken to the Animal Emergency Hospital of the Strand for further care, a police report said.

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Harris, who accompanied the health aide to the fire station, allegedly told authorities that a man came to his motel and left about one gram of heroin on a table and that the dog ate it and became ill.

Police then went to the motel and met with Young, the report said.

While executing a search warrant, detectives say they found a syringe with clear, brown-tinted liquid in a black purse in the bathroom, which later tested positive for heroin and cocaine.

Young admitted to officers that the syringe was hers, the police report shows.

Court records show Harris pleaded guilty to abandonment or mistreatment of an animal, was sentenced to 15 days in jail, and owes more than $1,000 in fines. Young also pleaded guilty to the same charge and was sentenced to 15 days in jail and more than $700 in fines.

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