In South Carolina, two bills — S.323 and H.3537 — could dramatically increase criminalization of abortion and pregnancy outcomes, redefine personhood from fertilization, and amplify risks for disabled people. In this episode, we break down what each bill says, how they intersect with disability rights and medical access, and what South Carolinians can do now.

CALL TO ACTION: Tell Sen. Shane Massey to OPPOSE S.323!Senator Massey is one of the most powerful lawmakers in South Carolina — as Senate Majority Leader, he decides which bills move forward or die in committee (while he doesn’t have unilateral power to veto a bill, he absolutely can prevent it from being debated, voted on, or prioritized). That means he can stop S.323, the extreme abortion ban that criminalizes doctors, families, and patients. Your voice matters.

This week, take 15 minutes to call, email, or write Sen. Massey and tell him why you oppose S.323: (803) 212-6330 ShaneMassey@scsenate.gov 508 Gressette Building, 1101 Pendleton St, Columbia, SC 29201

Frame your message around government overreach, fiscal waste, and the danger of criminalizing private health decisions. South Carolina families deserve safety, privacy, and real leadership — not political interference in our most personal choices.
If you’d like help drafting testimony, need plain-language summaries, or want to connect with others in your area facing these issues, email me at breakingbarrierswithangel@gmail.com. Follow the show on social media and tag me with your questions. Your story matters.

As a reminder, this bill would: make abortion a felony equivalent to “the homicide of a person born alive" allow imprisonment up to 30 years for a person having an abortion or aiding in abortion prohibit transporting a minor out of state to obtain an abortion make it unlawful to possess any drug or substance that can be used for abortion make providing information about abortion unlawful, including via a website or phone call

Reach out to the Palmetto State Abortion Fund.

Reach our to the ACLU of South Carolina.

Other helpful links:S.323 bill text & page (126th Session): South Carolina Legislature Online. Provisions redefining terms, emergency requirements, reporting to law enforcement, and wrongful-death civil action.H.3537 bill text & page (126th Session): South Carolina Legislature Online. Personhood at fertilization within homicide and assault articles; defenses, exceptions, prospective application, status in House Judiciary.Current law baseline: S.474 (2023) six-week ban with limited exceptions; Governor’s signing summary; code page. SC Supreme Court ruling (May 2025): News coverage of 5–0 decision upholding enforcement and noting exceptions.Pregnancy criminalization data: SC factsheet and post-Dobbs interim update by Pregnancy Justice; trend lines for prosecutions tied to pregnancy loss and information-seeking.

South Carolina’s Energy Crossroads: How H.3309 Impacts Us All

In this episode of Breaking Barriers with Angel Heaven Lee, we dive deep into the newly signed South Carolina Energy Security Act. Angel unpacks the wins.. like competitive solar procurement and preserved oversight… and the risks, like automatic utility rate hikes and a new natural gas plant. She explores how these policies will impact low-income households, disabled residents, and rural communities across the state. Plus, updates on PFAS cleanup funding and what you can do to keep energy and water safe and affordable.

Topics include:

– Clean energy competition and ratepayer savings

– Automatic rate hikes and utility accountability

– The Canadys natural gas project and rural land impacts

– Energy efficiency programs for low-income households

– PFAS remediation funding and safe water access

– Smart growth and protecting property rights

Take Action: Protect South Carolina’s Energy Future

Contact Your Legislators – Find and email your state representatives to demand affordable energy, efficiency programs, and customer safeguards: https://www.scstatehouse.gov/legislatorssearch.php

Public Service Commission (PSC) – Submit comments or attend hearings on energy projects that affect your bills and communities: https://psc.sc.gov

Conservation Voters of South Carolina (CVSC) – Stay updated on energy, water, and land legislation and sign up for action alerts: https://www.cvsc.org

Coastal Conservation League – Get involved with grassroots campaigns against overdevelopment and harmful energy projects: https://www.coastalconservationleague.org

PFAS Testing & Assistance – Learn about the state’s PFAS Remediation Fund and programs for private well owners through the Department of Environmental Services: https://des.sc.gov

Questions or comments?

Email: breakingbarrierswithangel@gmail.com

What is “inspiration porn,” and why is it harmful, even when it looks heartwarming? In this episode, Angel Heaven Lee breaks down how disabled people are reduced to feel-good props for non-disabled audiences, and why this mindset hurts real efforts toward accessibility and equity. From South Carolina’s local news to viral memes, we explore how to move from pity to true inclusion.