McKnight, who was joined on the bill by 23 Republicans, said he has received strong support from his constituents, many of whom have told him they may support sex reassignment surgery, but only if the patient is an adult.

“Black Democrats tend to be more conservative than white progressives,” McKnight said in a recent interview. “I would not have ever put this bill forward if I didn’t think the people in my district wouldn’t be receptive, and they are. Pastors, young parents, older parents, they all tell me the same thing: If you want to do this, wait until you’re 18.”

The South Carolina Democratic Party slammed the bill and approved a resolution saying the party “condemns this outrageous bill — and its Democratic supporters — in the strongest possible terms.”