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Equality Texas Welcomes Three New Staff Members to Their Statewide Team
Posted on October 11, 2017 at 2:51 pm

Equality Texas is pleased to announce the appointments of Rachel Adams Gonzales, Javier Osorio, and Kimberly Shappley. All three new staff members are individuals with proven records in advocating for fairness and equality issues, who will work on education, base building, and organizational development inside and outside of the organization across the state of Texas.

“Rachel, Javier, and Kimberly bring to Equality Texas outstanding skills in building coalitions with the business community, a proven track record in nonprofit administration, and much needed experience working within interfaith communities” said Chuck Smith, Equality Texas CEO. “All three new members of the team will build upon our growing capacity as an organization. We are pleased to welcome them.”

Education and Resource Coordinator Rachel Adams Gonzales has testified several times at the Texas Capitol, spoken at rallies and protests, and has maintained a local to national media presence in the fight for equality for transgender Texans. As the mother of a transgender child, equality for LGBTQ youth is her passion.  She is delighted to be able to combine her passion with her background in cultural applied anthropology to advocate for the equal treatment of LGBTQ youth, providing support for families to be their own best advocates. She is an active member of Dallas-Fort Worth Trans Kids and Families (DFWTKF) and a member of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) National Parents for Transgender Equality Council. Rachel is based in Dallas. 

As a first generation immigrant from Peru, Finance and Administrative Coordinator Javier Osorio earned a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree in Accounting from the University of Texas at San Antonio.  He joined the Equality Texas Austin headquarters staff in August 2017, after the 85th Special Legislative Session ended. As a talented financial accountant specializing in financial planning, reporting and analysis, Javier is excited to also provide a positive, can-do attitude to the team. 

Houston-based Faith Outreach Coordinator Kimberly Shappley is a registered nurse, an international board certified lactation consultant, ordained minister, and mom of a whole bunch of amazing people, including a transgender daughter who has turned Kimberly into an accidental advocate. Kimberly is a nationally recognized sought-after speaker as a Southern Conservative Christian parent of a transgender child. Her family’s story has appeared on The TODAY Show, Vice HBO, Good Housekeeping, Huffington Post, and several national women’s magazines. Her recent work includes cultural diversity training for college faculty, as well as speaking at medical and mental health conferences, Christian congregations and women’s retreats.