Kai Shappley is a transgender activist aged 11 in Texas. She has been fighting against anti-trans bills since she was 5.
Kai shared a picture on social media on July 4. It featured a yard sign that read, “Garage Sale.”
Kai wrote in the tweet, “My mom sold my home and everything that didn’t fit in the car because the state in which I was born is not safe for trans children.” “Anyway… Happy Independence Day to all who get to celebrate that.”
Kimberly Shappley, her mom, had been resisting moving for many years, even though the state considered more then 50 bills in 2021 targeting trans people, and even after it started investigating parents suspected of providing gender-affirming care to their children.
Shappley stated that she began to plan a move last year during the legislative session. Kai testified against a bill making it a crime for doctors providing trans minors with gender-affirming care.
She then said that two recent events had thrown her slow planning process into “overdrive”. First, the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and second, an interview Kaleb, Kaleb’s 9-year old son, conducted with Vogue magazine for an article on Kai.
Kaleb said to Vogue, as he walked through a playground. “We pray that people don’t take mom away. We pray for everyone and everything. CPS wants Kai taken away because Kai is transgender, so we’re going get adopted, and Kai will be forced to not be trans,” Kaleb stated, referring specifically to the state Child Protective Services.
Shappley stated that she was shocked to see the interview and thought she couldn’t do it anymore for her children.
She said that “the damage is already being done.” They don’t have to take my children to cause trauma. By staying here, it feels like they’re allowing my family to continue to suffer trauma.”
She stated that she doesn’t blame people who are unable to leave the state because most don’t have the money. She stated that she would sell all her belongings and move in with Kai, Kaleb, their three cats and one dog to find a home.
Kai’s tweet about the garage sale went viral and she stated that people wanted to support her family so she set up a GoFundMe fundraising campaign to help them move.
She said, “It was humiliating like hell.” “It is not in my nature for me to ask for help.”
She said that she is now planning to purchase a motorhome and make it a road trip. They don’t know where they will be settling down.
She said, “They’re going enjoy this road trip and we’re going make it as enjoyable as possible.” “It’s their job for fun and mine to worry.”
Kai, an aspiring actor, previously said that she felt sadness but more excitement than disappointment.
Kai is a big Dolly Parton fan and her mom suggested that the family may stop at Dollywood in Tennessee on their way.
Shappley, through tears, said that rehoming their 20-chicken flock was one of the most difficult moments of the move.
“We didn’t have chickens, because we wanted eggs.” She laughed and said that we had to give away eggs because we needed to pay the neighbors. “Eating 20 chickens is not allowed in a city, especially when there are five roosters. They all had names and tricks because we are good pet owners. We were able to identify their personalities.
Shappley stated that her family would be fine, but she also said that others are trying to flee their countries. Some of these people have also started GoFundMe fundraisers. There are also families that can’t leave. She stated that refugees are those who are forced to flee, and that the Biden administration is not doing enough to help them.
“Where is the help?” “Where’s the assistance for relocation? She said that they know it’s unsafe for families. Although the Administration has taken actions against attempts to restrict gender-affirming healthcare through the Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services but Shappley called them “backdoor” efforts as they are not well known to those who might be helped and don’t provide immediate support for families in dire need.
She said, “I don’t want a reardoor. We’re not somebody’s dirty little secret.” “I want a front entrance and a parking spot. We’ve seen some s—-. It’s time to help not only me but all trans children and their families.
