Talarico Voted Against Texas' Ban on Child Transition. He Also Voted Against Girls' Sports Protections and the Bathroom Law.

Here is how he voted.

Banning drugs and surgery for kids (SB 14, 2023)

SB 14 stopped Texas doctors from giving children puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, or sex-change surgeries. Talarico voted against the bill. The bill passed 87–56 anyway and took effect Sept. 1, 2023. The Texas Supreme Court upheld the law in 2024.

Before the final vote, he voted for 18 amendments meant to weaken the bill. All 18 failed.

Boys and men in girls' and women's sports (HB 25 in 2021 and SB 15 in 2023)

HB 25 required public school athletes to compete on teams matching their sex. Talarico voted against the bill. SB 15 did the same for college sports. Talarico voted against that bill too.

Bathrooms (SB 8, 2025)

SB 8 requires bathrooms, locker rooms, and similar spaces in government buildings and schools to be used according to sex. Talarico voted against the bill. It passed 86–45 and took effect Dec. 4, 2025.

Defining man and woman (HB 229, 2025)

HB 229 defined "man" and "woman" in Texas law by sex. Talarico voted against the bill. It passed 87–56.

Coverage for detransitioners (SB 1257, 2025)

SB 1257 requires health plans that cover transition procedures to also cover the side effects and any reversal for detransitioners who have been harmed. Talarico voted against coverage for detransitioners who have been harmed. It passed 87–58.

In his own words

Podcast, May 2023: On A Superbloom Podcast, released May 11, 2023, host Candice King asked Talarico, "Something that you love that's not family or friends?" He answered: "I love, I'm just saying this because it's on my mind, the trans children who showed up yesterday at the state capitol to advocate for their humanity. They shouldn't have to, but it was an inspiration to watch." Earlier in the same episode he described SB 14 as a bill that "would deny trans children life-saving health care."

House floor, 2021: Talarico said, "To the trans kids watching at home, I just want to say, I love you." (Reported by Fox News.)

Favorite drag queen, 2026 campaign event: A man told Talarico, "I was there when you defended the drags," and asked, "Who's your favorite drag queen in Texas?" Talarico answered: "Oh my gosh, probably Alyssa Edwards." Fox News reported that Edwards has said, "I'm a drag performer that works with children." Talarico said nothing about that. His campaign did not deny the clip and pointed to Ken Paxton instead.

Drag bill, 2023: On SB 12, which restricted sexually oriented performances in front of minors, Talarico voted "present" and said: "I think Texas is obviously the best state in the nation and I think we produce some of the best drag queens in the nation." In June 2021 he was also a listed speaker at Taylor PRIDE, which featured drag acts.

Sources: Texas House Journals (SB 14 May 12 and 15, 2023: https://journals.house.texas.gov/hjrnl/88r/pdf/88RDAY62FINAL.PDF, https://journals.house.texas.gov/hjrnl/88r/pdf/88RDAY63FINAL.PDF#page=20; HB 25 Oct 14, 2021: https://journals.house.texas.gov/hjrnl/873/pdf/87C3DAY06FINAL.PDF; SB 15 and SB 12 2023: https://journals.house.texas.gov/hjrnl/88r/pdf/88RDAY66FINAL.PDF, https://journals.house.texas.gov/hjrnl/88r/pdf/88RDAY67FINAL.PDF; HB 229 and SB 1257 May 12, 2025: https://journals.house.texas.gov/hjrnl/89r/pdf/89RDAY62FINAL.PDF; SB 8 Aug 28, 2025: https://journals.house.texas.gov/hjrnl/892/pdf/89C2DAY10FINAL.PDF), State v. Loe (https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1458813/230697.pdf), A Superbloom Podcast (https://shows.acast.com/a-superbloom-podcast/episodes/defending-our-moral-values-w-representative-james-talarico), Fox News (https://www.foxnews.com/politics/democrat-rising-star-called-out-creepy-comment-about-transgender-children; https://www.foxnews.com/politics/talarico-instantly-names-favorite-texas-drag-queen-performer-says-works-children), KUT (https://www.kut.org/politics/2023-05-19/texas-house-drops-anti-drag-language-oks-ban-of-sexually-oriented-performances-in-front-of-minors), Washington Free Beacon (https://freebeacon.substack.com/p/james-talarico-headlined-pride-event).

Cover photo: Austin Hansen/Talarico For Texas.