DENTON -- Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton made good on his promise to share dinner with a transgender child and his family Thursday night.
The Briggle Family from Denton first extended the invitation back in May, shortly after Paxton filed a lawsuit on behalf of the State of Texas and several other states challenging a federal policy granting transgender kids access to school bathrooms. Paxton accepted the invitation last week.
"Our intention with the dinner was really just to find common ground and show the attorney general that we're a normal family," said mom Amber Briggle.
The Briggles say that since the age of two, MG has identified as a boy. At first, they thought it was a phase, but after years of consistent behavior, they accepted him as transgender and have sought to support their child.
They say that Paxton had never met an openly transgender child, and they wanted to give him an opportunity to spend time in their home. He accepted their invitation last week, and came to dinner with his wife Angela.
"We were very honored that he even took the time to meet with us," said Briggle. "I think it shows that he's willing to listen."
Over beef kebabs and blueberry cobbler, the families spent about two hours getting to know each other. The Briggles said conversation mostly revolved around their kids and families.
"The attorney general and our son exchanged magic tricks. The kids told jokes," Briggle said. "MG showed him how PokemonGo works."
They didn't ask Paxton for any specific changes on policies, but they were frank about their concerns.
"I said we're really concerned as his parents that the litigation and the policies you're putting forth are going to harm [MG] and hurt him," Briggle said. "And I looked Mrs. Paxton in the eye and I said, 'I'm really concerned that it's going to affect how he's performing in school.'"
News 8 reached out to Paxton's office, but there's no word yet on whether the dinner will affect his positions.
Still, the Briggles hope that he will remember the dinner and the time they spent together the next time he makes a decision on transgender issues.
"That's what I hope will happen," said father Adam Briggle. "Maybe he'll change."