Angela Hale, Equality Texas, 512-289-2995, angela@redmediagroup.com

Equality Texas Faith Outreach Coordinator Kimberly Shappley Testifies on behalf of her Transgender Daughter Kai for the Equality Act on Capitol Hill

Washington D.C. April 10, 2019- Equality Texas Faith Outreach Coordinator Kimberly Shappley testified at a national hearing in Washington D.C. yesterday on H.R. 5, the Equality Act—legislation to guarantee and expand civil rights protections for LGBTQ Americans.

Kimberly told national leaders in Washington D.C. today about how she was a Texas mom living her life privately in 2016 until Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick attacked her child, made the Texas bathroom bill a national fight during the 2017 Texas legislative session and forced her to get involved to protect her child’s life. She explained how the Superintendent of the Pearland School District outside of Houston followed the Lt. Governor’s lead and forced her transgender daughter to use the boys’ bathroom.

Kimberly testified on behalf of her 8-year-old transgender daughter Kai Shappley about the terrible school environment where at 5 and 6 years old, Kai was frequently locked out of the only restroom she had access to, leaving her to have accidents in front of her peers and subjected to  intentional and cruel behavior and bullying. Kimberly moved her family to Austin and left her home of 25 years to save her daughter.

“Kai, trans kids like her, and LGB kids, need the Equality Act because they deserve a future where they won’t experience discrimination at school, when they apply for a job, or rent an apartment. Our country had determined long ago that discrimination is wrong. Choosing to exclude people for how they were born is not an American value. We must do better,” said Kimberly Shappley, Faith and Outreach Coordinator for Equality Texas.

“The Equality Act will bring Equality for all Texans and all Americans. In a majority of states today, including Texas, there are no clear, comprehensive protections for LGBTQ individuals in education, employment, housing, health, and other everyday services and opportunities, “said Samantha Smoot, Interim Executive Director of Equality Texas.

To watch the hearing and Kimberly’s testimony click on the link:

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Equality Texas is the largest statewide organization working to secure full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer Texans through political action, education, community organizing, and collaboration.  The Equality Texas Foundation works to secure full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer Texans through education, community organizing, and collaboration.