Breaking Barriers with Angel Heaven Lee

Episode 15: Senate Bill 323 & House Bill 3537: Reproductive Justice, Disability, and Criminalization in South Carolina

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 [https://palmettostateabortionfund.com/]. Reach our to the ACLU of South Carolina [https://www.aclusc.org/]. Other helpful links:S.323 bill text & page (126th Session) [https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/bills/323.htm]: 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) [https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/bills/3537.htm]: South Carolina Legislature Online. Personhood at fertilization within homicide and assault articles; defenses, exceptions, prospective application, status in House Judiciary.Current law baseline [https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess125_2023-2024/bills/474.htm]: S.474 (2023) six-week ban with limited exceptions; Governor’s signing summary; code page. SC Supreme Court ruling (May 2025) [https://apnews.com/article/abortion-heartbeat-ban-upheld-south-carolina-68df7ce8400493fdc175ec1fc4326a1e]: News coverage of 5–0 decision upholding enforcement and noting exceptions.Pregnancy criminalization data [https://www.pregnancyjusticeus.org/resources/south-carolina-factsheet/]: SC factsheet and post-Dobbs interim update by Pregnancy Justice; trend lines for prosecutions tied to pregnancy loss and information-seeking.

Episode 14: SC’s Energy Crossroads: How H.3309 Impacts Us All

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

Episode 13: Inspiration Porn: The Objectification of Disabled Lives

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.

Episode 12: Living on Disability Benefits: Can You Actually Survive?

Can you survive on less than $1,000 a month? For millions of disabled Americans, that’s not a hypothetical... it’s reality. In this episode of Breaking Barriers, Angel Heaven Lee exposes the harsh truths of the U.S. disability benefits system, from outdated income caps to asset restrictions that keep people trapped in poverty. We explore how policies punish independence, what needs to change, and why South Carolina is one of the hardest-hit states. Tune in for real stories, facts you won’t hear on the news, and what you can do to push for reform. If you’re outraged, and you should be, don’t just sit with that feeling. Do something. 📞 Call your federal lawmakers and demand SSI and SSDI reform. ➡️ Look them up here: https://www.congress.gov/members 📬 Tell your South Carolina legislators: Expand Medicaid. Add a state SSI supplement. ➡️ SC legislators: https://www.scstatehouse.gov/legislatorssearch.php 🗳 Register to vote. These decisions are made by people we elect—or let get re-elected in silence. ➡️ SC Voter Info: https://scvotes.gov [https://scvotes.gov] 💌 Share your story. Whether you're a disabled person, a caregiver, or an ally, your voice matters. Email me at breakingbarrierswithangel@gmail.com. And if you’re struggling, reach out to: * Disability Rights South Carolina [https://www.disabilityrightssc.org] * National Council on Independent Living [https://ncil.org] We’re in this fight together. Let’s get loud!! #DisabilityJustice #SSDCuts #SSIReform #PovertyIsPolicy #DisabledAndDeserving #BreakingBarriersPodcast #AngelHeavenLee #SCAdvocacy #StopTheCuts #CripTheVote #PovertyTrap #SurviveNotThrive #EconomicJustice #NoOneLeftBehind

Episode 11: No Kings Day: A Rallying Cry for Democracy

On June 14, 2025 — Flag Day — thousands gathered in Columbia, SC for the No Kings Day Rally. In this powerful speech, Angel Heaven Lee takes the mic to call out corruption, uplift disabled voices, and remind America what true patriotism looks like. From protecting Social Security and Section 504 to standing in solidarity with Outfest and peaceful protestors nationwide, this speech is a fearless reminder: We don’t need a king. We need accountability. Real talk.Bold truth.And a call to rise — together. #NoKingsDay #DefendDemocracy #WhileIBreatheIHope