| |
| |
|
|
R E S O L U T I O N
|
|
|
WHEREAS, Kimberly Shappley of Austin has distinguished |
|
|
herself through her exceptional work as an advocate for the |
|
|
transgender youth community in Texas; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, The proud mother of a transgender daughter, Kai, |
|
|
Ms. Shappley began her activism around the time that Kai entered |
|
|
kindergarten; the family then resided in Pearland, and Ms. Shappley |
|
|
spoke at school board meetings about anti-trans policies that |
|
|
frequently reduced Kai to tears; in 2017, she and Kai testified in a |
|
|
Texas Senate committee hearing against the so-called bathroom bill |
|
|
that would have prevented transgender people from accessing |
|
|
restrooms and locker rooms that matched their gender identity; |
|
|
mother and daughter also shared their story in an |
|
|
Emmy-Award-winning documentary; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, In order to provide a more nurturing and affirming |
|
|
school environment for Kai, Ms. Shappley moved the family to Austin |
|
|
in 2018, and she has continued to fight for the rights of |
|
|
transgender youth; in 2021, Kimberly and Kai received further |
|
|
attention when Kai delivered powerful testimony before the Senate |
|
|
Committee on State Affairs in opposition to three |
|
|
transgender-related bills; video of her appearance went viral on |
|
|
social media, raising awareness across the country of proposed |
|
|
legislation targeting the trans community and their families; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, By courageously speaking out in behalf of |
|
|
transgender children and serving as a stalwart ally, Kimberly |
|
|
Shappley has set an inspiring example for other parents and helped |
|
|
the public gain a greater understanding of issues that affect |
|
|
transgender youth and their families; now, therefore, be it |
|
|
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas |
|
|
Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby commend Kimberly Shappley |
|
|
for her advocacy in behalf of the transgender youth community in |
|
|
Texas and extend to her sincere best wishes for continued success in |
|
|
her important work; and, be it further |
|
|
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
|
|
prepared for Ms. Shappley as an expression of high regard by the |
|
|
Texas House of Representatives. |