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Kai Shappley, a fourth grader, recently gave a powerful testimony to the Texas Senate State Affairs Committee shaming them for attacking her as a transgender girl with pending legislation.
Now, the 10-year-old is getting death threats.
Shappley spoke out against the anti-trans bill Texas senators are pushing. The bill would block transgender children from gender affirming medical care—healthcare for trans children is nonsurgical and fully reversible regardless of the misinformation spread by transphobic lobbying organizations pushing these bills across the United States.
Shappley said in her testimony:
"I do not like spending my free time asking adults to make good choices."
"It makes me sad that some politicians use trans kids like me to get votes from people who hate me just because I exist."
Since then, Shappley's mother tweeted her daughter has received multiple death threats through her social media.
Kim Shappley stated her daughter was being kept off all social media so she wouldn't be subjected to transphobic hate.
Kai’s mom here. She’s not allowed on any of her social media accounts for now. The messages and comments directed a… https://t.co/QVtSvtgAQ1— Kai Shappley HER/SHE 🍫 (@Kai Shappley HER/SHE 🍫) 1618958249.0
Many people sent their love and support through Twitter.
@KaiShappley I’m so sorry y’all. I’m in awe of y’all’s bravery and so sad that it’s necessary. We’ll keep fighting… https://t.co/Mfv99WLOXS— Erin Zwiener (@Erin Zwiener) 1619012308.0
@KaiShappley People can be so gross. I am sorry. Kai is pure magic and deserves so much better. Thanks for your fig… https://t.co/9rVnK8oPbQ— Meredith 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈 (@Meredith 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈) 1618958360.0
@KaiShappley Kai, You are so loved! Don't forget that! This cruelness in some folks, it's their fear and ignorance… https://t.co/cIRhwZJ8mw— Shan Hawthorne Blaney #CINDERELLAMAN (@Shan Hawthorne Blaney #CINDERELLAMAN) 1618965017.0
@KaiShappley She doesn't deserve this and I'm glad she has a mom like you to keep her safe— Jude Ellison S. Doyle (@Jude Ellison S. Doyle) 1619030875.0
Kai Shappley was not the only person who received threats after testifying. Amber Briggle, mom of a transgender child, gave heartfelt testimony about the journey she went through with her son.
Briggle said:
"Taking that support away from him or worse taking him away from his family because we broke the law to provide that support will have devastating and heartbreaking consequences."
If this law passes, Briggle would be labelled a child abuser.
She continued:
"If these bills become law that is child abuse and I promise I will call every one of you every single time a transgender child dies from suicide to remind you that their lives could have been saved, but you chose not to."
Briggle shared her experience with threats after her testimony on Twitter.
I filed a police report today over threatening voice messages listing all the ways I should kill myself. I'm MAD.— Amber Briggle (she/her) (@Amber Briggle (she/her)) 1618950411.0
I'm mad because the people who were elected to keep us safe and protected here in Texas are the same people who are… https://t.co/GqRNXZLRPf— Amber Briggle (she/her) (@Amber Briggle (she/her)) 1618950411.0
She also called out the threats trans children face on a regular basis.
AND these same douchecanoes are bullying trans kids. Both online and IRL. The harassment these kids got from grown… https://t.co/wHQCxT5qyu— Amber Briggle (she/her) (@Amber Briggle (she/her)) 1618950411.0
Briggle urged people to continue to shine a light on transphobia and to remember the Texas legislature and lobbyists with the anti-LGBTQ+ Heritage Foundation was the real cause of the hate directed at her and trans children.
@mrsbriggle/Twitter
PFLAG, an organization for support, education and advocacy of LGBTQ+ people, reached out to Briggles on Twitter.
@mrsbriggle Can we help? Let us know. We work directly with community safety leaders across all states. You know where to find us. ❤️U.— PFLAG National (@PFLAG National) 1618958769.0
Many showed their support for Briggles family.
@mrsbriggle/Twiiter
@mrsbriggle Parent of a trans (and black) son here in Ohio. We’ve experienced some religious trauma but no death th… https://t.co/T1h9mhOj1J— Stephen Burks (@Stephen Burks) 1619004985.0
@mrsbriggle You ARE a rockstar Mama. Me and my trans son are with you and yours 100% of the way. We are in CA, bu… https://t.co/bLdPLv2Gu3— manna (@manna) 1619067163.0
@mrsbriggle I appreciate you so much. Your honesty and commitment and love are always on full display.— Stabigail, Executive Barbarian (@Stabigail, Executive Barbarian) 1618951521.0
@mrsbriggle You are a shining light of Motherhood and Unconditional Love. I am thinking of all the courage of all t… https://t.co/6mvXkcy8iz— christine (@christine) 1618963470.0
@mrsbriggle We are going to fight against the ignorance and hate every day until the nightmare is over. Write your… https://t.co/DsQgYMGqtq— Jana Elvira 🏳️⚧️ 🎨🌹 (@Jana Elvira 🏳️⚧️ 🎨🌹) 1618976589.0
The advocacy of Shappley and Briggle is inspiring and necessary.
Trans rights are human rights.