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What happens if transgender children do get taken away from their families? Foster care and an uncertain future. (At least 104 children have died in Texass long-term care system since September 2019, six as a result of documented abuse by caregivers.) Principal Loyola works hard to shield her students from this reality, but it is an impossible task. Its hard to talk about whats happening in the state without thinking about my campus on a day-to-day level, Loyola says. Kai was halfway through fifth grade when Abbotts directive came out, and Kimberly made the decision to pull both of her kids out of school and homeschool themeven as she still works as a nurse for a nonprofit dedicated to underserved communities in Texas. Kais fifth-grade teacher, Erin Gerton, felt she was put in an impossible positionordered by the language of the directive to report trans kids and their families, but knowing she would refuse to do so. Gerton is moving to Portland, Oregon, because the experience of being a teacher in Texas has become too overwhelming. I cant teach in Texas anymore, she says. I cant do it. Its really sad, because the state is experiencing a teacher shortage. But everything going on gets in the way of educating children.
Despite no longer attending Menchaca, Kai walked with her graduating fifth-grade class. When Loyola and I talk about this, the principals eyes fill with tears. You know she doesnt go by Kai at school, right? Here we call her Esther. She is an 11-year-old girl who runs on the playground and studies for tests. Kai is the public figure. The story of Queen Esther is Kais favorite in the Biblea queen who saved the Jewish people from destruction. To see Esther flourish and blossom with opportunities is amazing, says Loyola. I also know how hard it is for her mom, because they have fought so hard to have normal school experiences. She doesnt get to have that anymore because she is so high profile in the work she does. I think shes young enough where she doesnt see it as a responsibility, but people put it on her as a responsibility. Thats hard.
With middle school on the horizon, the safety net will shift, and many of Kais friends are zoned for different schools. Kai hopes the path shes chosen will lead her out of Texas. Shes now represented by CAA, which could mean a future of cameras, more TV shows, and campaigns. Kai already has a star-in-training persona that can be hard to penetrate. She projects confidenceeven while anxiously picking at the skin on her hands. Kimberly worries for her daughter, but sees no other way. Success is a plan that has to work.
At the foot of Kais bed sit two black-and-white portraits of Dolly Parton, sent to her by the singer herself. Dolly is her lodestar, a cheeky southern blond with a natural instinct for doing good in the world. Kai cites Dollys literacy program for children as she tells me a story of her own advocacydescribing the time she led a conversation between staff and her classmates about misgendering. Shes a natural speaker and storyteller, someone who has grown up pleading with adults to treat her with respect, telling her story, sharing it, posting it. Hence the book proposal shes working ona Christian childrens series about queerness. Why Christian? Because Christian families need help. Even at age 11, Kai is aware that freedom cannot be achieved alone.

Lengthy article. Kai is an 11 year old trans girl who spoke before the Texas House in opposition of the state's currently in-effect bans on transition care to minors that effectively criminalizes parents who affirm their children.
And it breaks my heart that she and her family must flee their home for their own safety. Doubly so because they're the lucky ones, the ones who can flee.

This is what many elite liberals are willing to acquiesce to when they echo fascistic attacks and rhetoric on trans people.