The Williams Institute

South Carolina state and local law provides virtually no protection against job discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. No state-wide statute has been enacted in South Carolina to prohibit discrimination in employment on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity despite substantial efforts to pass such legislation. South Carolina has enacted an extensive administrative grievance procedure for public employees, but an Attorney General’s Opinion in 1975 concluded that “homosexuality is a valid ground for refusing State employment.” That opinion has not been changed or rescinded. Several South Carolina universities and one municipality have enacted non-discrimination policies. However, the one local ordinance addressing these issues does not cover employment discrimination.