James Talarico’s Perverted Church Books for Kids Revealed
As Texas’ Senate race begins heating up, Democrat nominee James Talarico is facing growing scrutiny over the church he attends and the progressive social positions that critics say could become a major political liability in a state that remains firmly conservative.
At the center of the controversy is St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Austin, where Talarico has delivered sermons and maintained close ties for years. Critics are now pointing to the church’s public embrace of progressive gender ideology, abortion activism, and controversial literature made available to children through its “banned books” collection.
According to a review by The Daily Wire, the church library includes books containing graphic sexual material and transgender-themed content aimed at younger readers. Among the titles reportedly available are Gender Queer, which contains illustrations depicting sexual acts, and All Boys Aren’t Blue, a memoir that includes descriptions of sexual encounters, including discussions of rape and incest.
Other books listed in the church’s catalog reportedly include This Book Is Gay, Trans Kids, Our Kids, The Courage to Be Queer, and Becoming Nicole, all of which promote progressive perspectives on gender identity and sexuality.
The church openly defends the collection, saying the books help children find “affirmation” and allow readers to explore identities and experiences that are often “censored.” St. Andrew’s describes itself as “a safe haven for controversial narratives right in the heart of Texas.”
That message may resonate in deep-blue Austin, but Republicans clearly believe it will become potent campaign material statewide.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who secured the Republican Senate nomination Tuesday night, wasted no time targeting Talarico during his victory speech. Paxton mocked the Democrat nominee with nicknames including “Six-Gender Jimmy” and “James Tala-FREAKO,” signaling that cultural issues and transgender ideology will likely become central themes in the race.
Republican Rep. Brandon Gill also attacked Talarico over previous comments in which the Democrat reportedly said “trans children” were “the thing I love most in the world.”
Talarico’s broader record on gender issues is already drawing attention. During his time in the Texas legislature, he opposed legislation aimed at restricting biological males from participating in women’s sports and argued that parents who reject a child’s claimed gender identity can cause “destructive” harm.
He has also made comments that conservatives are likely to repeatedly spotlight throughout the campaign, including statements suggesting “God is nonbinary” and describing Jesus as a “radical feminist.”
Meanwhile, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church has embraced positions that place it far outside traditional Christian doctrine on several social issues. The church identifies itself as a “Reproductive Freedom Congregation,” a designation tied to support for abortion rights. Talarico himself has argued publicly that the Bible does not prohibit abortion.
The church has also reportedly hosted activism connected to the anti-Trump “No Kings” protest movement, further reinforcing Republican arguments that Talarico represents the activist progressive wing of the Democrat Party rather than a moderate Texas Democrat.
For Republicans, the strategy appears obvious: tie Talarico directly to progressive cultural politics that remain deeply unpopular with many Texas voters outside urban centers.
Democrats, meanwhile, are betting Talarico’s youth, speaking ability, and religious messaging can help soften some of those attacks and appeal to suburban moderates uncomfortable with Republican rhetoric.
But in a state Donald Trump carried comfortably in 2024, Republicans clearly believe the race will hinge less on economic messaging and more on cultural battles surrounding gender ideology, religion, education, and parental rights.
And based on the opening shots already fired, neither side appears interested in keeping the campaign restrained.