Dear Governor Abbott,

I am a conservative evangelical Christian. As a Christian, I believe scripture is God-ordained and

God-breathed. As a conservative, I believe in small and responsible government. So of course, I

voted for you, as I always voted straight ticket Republican. When I cast that vote, I had no idea

that my child -- then just shy of four years old -- was transgender. I didnt even know what

transgender was. But not too long after you took your oath of office, I overheard my child

praying to God to let her die, rather than having to continue to live as a boy. I saved my

daughters life by loving her. I am asking you to love her, too.

I had no idea that my life, and Kais life, would become so inextricably wound up in Texas

politics. I was not prepared to spend the past year hearing my sweet, happy daughter demonized

and attacked by leaders in this state. I am grateful that you have not engaged in those attacks.

I have heard these elected leaders insist they are not targeting my daughter. However, I have seen

their social media posts, and the newsletters and statements made by their funders and backers.

They are calling my daughter a pervert. They want her to rot and be blown away as dust. She

is six years old. I have heard their words, especially those spoken in churches, in private

meetings, and from the floor of our Texas State Capitol. Just as the crowd mentality caused the

stoning death of Stephen, they are stirring the crowd into a frenzy.

Again, I am grateful to you for not engaging in these attacks on my child. I know you have

dedicated your whole public life to protecting the most vulnerable children. I am asking you, as a

conservative Christian mother, to please protect my child. It took me a long time to come to
terms with Kais identity, but I know if you met her, you would immediately understand that she

is a little girl who would be unsafe in the boys bathroom, and who would be irreparably harmed

by being segregated from her peers.

I know that you have millions of constituents, but I am trying to save my childs life. Kai and I

would be honored to come to Austin to meet with you this week, as you weigh the heavy

decisions in front of you. I believe that if you met her, you would see my transgender daughter

the way Jesus sees her: as fearfully and wonderfully made. Please give us that chance. Sincerely,

Kimberly Shappley

Pearland, Texas