James Talarico opposes 'gender reassignment surgery' for minors

gwen howerton427

here is, for due dilligence, the full clip, which is itself a clip of Talarico's appearance on lawyer Dan Cogdell's podcast: www.youtube.com/watch?v=0srb...

post malone ergo propter malone249

oh boy this is going to be unpleasant all round

comrademuppet.bsky.social146

@jamestalarico.bsky.social don't be a gullible mark challenge

racymind103

I'm going to create a "Barro/Yglesias" Index, which will measure just how incredibly useless a motherfucker can be.

Deb88

1. Gender reassignment is very very rare for minors (and pretty rare in general) 2. We should listen to American Academy of Pediatrics for best practices for ensuring the health of children.

Tim73

Ah yes. The ever present “Republican lite” strategy. Which always works as what the pretend “independent voters” want is a shittier version of republicans.

v✿idbarbxe57

I hate him now and I hope he loses

Ben Says Abolish ICE56

Extremely reminiscent of the anti-abortion bullshit. Letting conservatives dictate the conversation by giving oxygen to their imaginary worlds has always been a mistake.

Ham Roids51

Man people aren't voting for you to be their primary care doctor, ffs. It's ridiculous that this is even an issue but ofc that's why the fascists pushed it into existence.

Reverend Moonshine39

Agreed. Medical decisions for transgender minors should be a based on consultation between the patient, the doctor, and the patient's parents. The government has no business getting involved. Moderate dems always lag behind on LGBTQ+ issues.

Michael Sicinski37

Dude is finished. His whole shtick is “when they take Jesus low, we take Jesus high.” And it’s going to fail. The DNC wants any excuse to move right. And if Talarico wins this way, it won’t be framed as “well that’s Texas,” it’ll become the 50-state roadmap. Must not happen.

chainemail.bsky.social29

How hard is it to say “medical care is a profoundly private and personal experience, and the medical community is full of experts who have the requisite training to handle these cases. I would leave that up to the experts to handle what’s best for each person”?

Sensual Kazoo29

It's so cool how he won the primary and then immediately shit his pants.

Fan of Buff Coach Dan Campbell Team22

Talarico comes out against Glonzo.

Kris Wernowsky21

I have Midwest catholic family who have taken the time to understand these issues, and family who don’t care to listen and will never make a serious effort to understand. The latter is what the democrats are pitching to with this, and the thing is, you shouldn’t want that in your coalition.

Notorious P.I.G. (Your Fairy Hogmother) 🐽17

Why have we, as Dems, agreed that trans kids are an acceptable political sacrifice?

The Guillotine Implier14

Not great that the people who are supposed to be saving us from fascism keep repeating “chain email from Goebbels” level talking points

lawngnomesorceress12

the correct answer to this has always been, "that's not a thing that happens, that's a right wing talking point."

Polly Curley11

Leaving aside that minors don't receive gender reassignment surgery. This just shows a staggering level of ignorance among American politicians, media (of all stripes) and the public. And how much the so-called "Christian" right drives the electoral agenda.

nardling.bsky.social11

We are all against this thing that never happens! Maybe mention that it never happens.

Large Bunny Enjoyer 🏳️‍⚧️10

Fucks sake, can we have a politician in Texas that doesn't suck shit

pcrritesgood.bsky.social10

Stupid. He needs to not accept right wing framing on any issues, even this. Just respond by reminding people that minors do not get gender surgery.

Jeff, colourful old coot10

There goes that election. I guess Blue Texas was a pipe dream all along.

Shimp9

Looks like he's hired the Colen Allred/MJ Hegar/Wendy Davis consultant team. They always tell statewide candidates to run to the right after the primary is over, and then they inevitably lose in a low-turnout election after they succeed in alienating everyone to the left of Greg Abbot.

web_rant9

Normalizing their fascist scapegoating by siding with it is necessary for the nodding of the Barro/Yglesias crowd of enablers. bsky.app/profile/kiss...

Joey P9

He's going to lose to a corrupt clown and the democrats are going to continue to be shocked pikachu face and not know how this could keep happening

sotonohito (he/him)9

Welp, looks like he decided to stop going on the attack against awful Republican crap and become yet another surrender first wimpocrat slimeball. Get used to saying "Senator Paxton", because Talarico isn't bothering to run against him, he's running against his own voters instead.

AliceLastname9

Wonder if he feels the need to weigh in on cis teen girls getting breast implants, which happens more often. (Jk, I know he doesn't.)

Skip Cunningham9

He's a wussboy, trying to court the right. Just another Jesus-monger.

AsS8

Tala-weak-o when it comes to trans rights

bad futa8

and as always, no one is talking to trans people or doctors who specialize in our care, almost like ignorance is key in whatever tptb have planned for us

pineypointg.bsky.social8

You should check to see Obama’s stance on gay marriage during his campaign for President.

lemasterofswords.bsky.social8

Fucking dems are so awful at everything

Brosephine Wires: Tunnel Explorer8

Pandering to an embarrassing degree.

Def Sentence7

is some variation of "I believe in science, data, and the professionals and community who figured this stuff out decades ago, and I have no desire to relitigate this issue, especially against bad faith actors looking to strip human rights from vulnerable citizens" too hard for these wimps to say

Zoë wants a calzonë ⚧️ 🏳️‍⚧️ 🍉7

This is disappointing because he was actually willing to stand up and speak out on this as a Texas state legislator, and indeed has reversed positions here.

Sam7

Talarico uses a lot of language that makes me think if it comes down to getting elected or staying true to his trans constituents. Well, he’s already made me learn about being “treated with dignity and respect.” Either you protect people or you’re useless to me. I’m sick of leaving people behind.

Dan7

I am very much against forced “face off” surgery for toddlers. I am very brave for saying this. Please see my website for a full list of nonexistent things I oppose. I mean I guess it’s a freebee; I just wish the next sentence for statements like this were “if this were a real thing happening.”

Faerie6

The next poll that comes out is going to show Talarico losing support over these comments. Then the consultants are going to convince him he did not go far enough, and the cycle will continue.

Phorrums5

Nothing predicts an embarrassing dem loss due to unforced error more than having the Yglesias approval factor.

Spurs Good Thunder Bad5

This really sucks but I hope enough people can yell at him about it not to fall for this bad faith loser bullshit

jmonkeh.bsky.social5

Every election is between a giant douche and a turd sandwich.

KitNCaboodle5

Been saying he was problematic on the trans issue and no one believed me.

Accountabilabuddy🔻5

I dare some interviewer to ask him (and anyone echoing his stupid opinion) where he got the medical training that makes him think anyone else's health care is any of his fucking business.

Guillotine Hunger Force5

well so much for getting my talafreakon

Mike Puterbaugh5

“That’s a decision for the minor, their guardians, and their doctors and the government has no place in it” is a layup answer that apparently no one can say

Ellen C. Bush4

Pretty sure “Gender reassignment surgery for minors” occurs more often before age one, esp for intersex people (and without the patient’s consent), than it does for minors in consultation w parents and doctors

Katherine 🪴4

They're looking at Labour and thinking "but it could work for us"

VƎX Werewolf4

Jail all of these people. Jail the ones who poisoned the well, and jail the ones who repeat the misinformation. When they ask for clemency, laugh in their faces.

TrumpIsTheEnemy 🐸🏳‍🌈🇺🇦#FDJT #DC514

A question that needs to be asked of every candidate: is circumcision the genital mutilation of an infant?

MJ🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈4

Talarico feeding into the lie of gender reassignment surgery for minors just extends the danger to transgender people.

Glencora4

It has also been the status quo for many years including before this administration - l know because of discus with doctors for my child - we can’t even get on waitlist (3-4 years for best surgeons) now to be ready for after 18… he is saying something that feeds that crowd but changes nothing

Coherent Light3

It's Texas. The well was always poisonous there ...

Sheryl3

Note that the topic at hand is "gender reassignment surgery," not "gender affirming care." There is a difference that a lot of people seem to be missing.

Joe Kalicki3

He's a piece of shit who won't protect trans people

TwoHitGood3

Medical stuff needs to be treated like religious stuff: a hard wall of privacy between government and the patients with their needed care. For the most part: It's none of your business.

Kim H3

He better get some better advisers on this issue, because falling for right wing talking points and agreeing with the right wing is exactly why they use this issue. He will lose playing into their hands. It’s so embarrassing at this point.

⛧Ash the Demon Dragoness⛧ ΘΔ 🏳️‍⚧️3

Talarico come on man. In a sea of ghouls and assholes in our state you could do so much better by doing some research instead of parroting their anti trans hate. And if you are going to continue down this path then good luck with keeping support.

Wurz3

Who's performing gender reassignment surgery on minors anyway?

Crandall Mikeingfone3

Reminder this guy stole credit for a ton of video game music.

Andrea Is Sick of Long Covid3

UGH. This is why I am opposed to devoutly religious people getting into politics. It interferes with their critical thinking. Gender reassignment surgery is almost never done on minors. When it is rarely done, an entire medical team is involved with the family and it is medical care, not politics.

Myles Lobdell3

You have to hope he's lying, but still, extremely distasteful.

Business Otter3

It's important to note that MattY is simply a very bad man. He makes his money by laundering the opinions of shitty people.

Crow Of The Three Rivers2

Republicans will shoot you in the head. Liberals will shoot you in the back.

jakeofnotrades.bsky.social2

FFS. How hard is it to say "leave people alone"?

CRT Crow 🐦‍⬛2

Ds fail to understand that *most* people get their opinions from elites. Not the other way around. D’s will always be the party of pro-LGBTQ+ no matter how much they throw trans people under the bus. So *sell*the idea that GAC is humane healthcare. You lose nothing & gain the appearance of a spine.

twodollars27cents.bsky.social2

Lending credence to false framing leads to harm. Full stop.

gorgsoros.bsky.social2

all I want is for one person to just say: I think trans people, including minors and prisoners and immigrants, should have access to healthcare, and that healthcare should be decided by patients and providers and not politicians

Felony Fagottini2

Here me out here. Talarico has been eating every beef rib in sight. The dolls are getting ribs removed. Why not really double down on transphobia and prove his masculinity with some cannibalism.

S. T. Ismail2

Yup. Back in 2024, there was a good month and a half where the Cruz campaign was basically all anti-trans, all the time. In particular, there was this one ad with a smug "concerned mom" claiming *public schools* were sending children to have such surgeries without notifying parents.

DrRamblings2

/1 Ugh!! “gender reassignment surgery for minors” is such a red herring! 2.1 per 100,000(!) are the data from a 2019 analysis published in 2025. Study: Few US adolescents receive gender-affirming medications, surgeries www.healio.com/news/pediatr...

Matty Light2

I’m also against giving machine guns to lions, but no one’s doing that, so I usually don’t feel the need to bring it up

I am Sofa King2

Running as 'Republican lite" just leads to electing more Republicans. It also reinforces the framing that Democrats are 'weak' and don't actually stand for anything.

pj-evans.bsky.social2

What may help is the news that Paxton's lawyer is voting for Talarico.

Embrrrrrrr2

Centrists have literally one move and it’s “cede ground.”

Collaterly2

@jamestalarico.bsky.social cowards who sacrifice children to save themselves like you have no place in government. I wanted to see you win and now I think you will lose no matter what I say or do because you do not have the basic spine to protect children from right wing creeps.

Reverend Chapman2

Courting the creepy ignorant dumbass vote is not a path to victory for @jamestalarico.bsky.social

Lynn G2

I'm going to say something that may ruffle feathers but I personally know a family who helped their child transition and when they got older they changed their mind. What's wrong with supporting your child to express themselves without permanent surgery until they are 18?

Chuck Taggart, Private Eye10

There should be a concerted effort to educate Sen. Talarico about actual factual trans-affirming health care and about how "gender reassignment surgery for minors" isn't a thing.

jessdee.bsky.social8

Like, watching this play out has been painful. The warnings have definitely been ignored at this point damn near across the board. They have a very clear example of what happens from the labour party and they just are going to straight up ignore it.

Burnest Hemingway7

He could have so easily pointed how they stripped trans people of their liberties, yet are still going on about them. They don't talk about addressing the cost of living, data centers or other problems that concern the citizens of Texas. They have scapegoats and no solutions.(1/2)

joe cusack6

people who freak out about trans kids should have to be on a list that says you can’t be within 100 feet of a child

Lou2

It’s also like… Where do these people think the funds for imaginary child surgeries are coming from? Their generous and supportive private healthcare system? They’re historically easy going insurance companies? Parents can’t afford gas or milk atm. Come tf on.

Tammy Rainey2

What, again? Can we get someone who knows how to communicate to go down there and remediate him?

gwen howerton44

yes, so much of this is informed by what people *think* our healthcare and experience is and then deciding what should be done about it from there

Atrios40

Extremely helpful for supposedly dem-aligned people to keep bringing it up

Graham Webster8

Once corrected a colleague speaking about China’s “social credit score” (there is no such thing outside of a couple of local pilots that went nowhere), and they said “well they COULD do it,” uninterested in why then they have not.

Chris Greene7

No different from "well people have concerns about election integrity because of the lies I've helped advance about election integrity, so it merits coverage."

Nerd #71326

the fact that the people who worship Epstein's best friend have any credibility on child safety is beyond me. we should be treating every republican like they're a stranger danger trenchcoat flasher at minimum

Christopher Paulsen5

Sigh. It should be the easiest frigging thing to point out "gender-affirming surgery on minors" is almost entirely breast reductions for cis males, then put it on the journalists to explain why they act like that procedure is so evil. So even if he wants to go coward and deflect, there it is.

It is the Winter of Our Discontent…5

Except for nose jobs and boob jobs. Because, you know, it’s only okay if it plays into male fantasies.

Queen Sansa3

I made the appt for my son's surgery the day after he turned 18- insurance wouldn't even touch it before then.

elph 🇨🇦3

women can’t even get their tubes tied at 35, knowing they’ve never wanted children, and they want us to believe we’re swapping genders like social media platforms. mind your own genitalia and reproductive health— the government has no business around those parts

bradknightmusic2

Do you think it's possible he said he's against it because it. is. not. a. thing. ?

Niles Stuck4

Bigfoot needs hair plugs. Denying him is interference by big government.

TessThisMess2

But but but, I need to rile people up about GRS for minors to pass laws against puberty blockers or supportive therapy

Michael J. Steudeman19

Why can’t people just say “that’s a bad question based on a moral panic, not science. And I refuse to dignify transphobes by pretending it accurately frames the issue.”

Kat Z9

I think Texans would understand that it’s nobody’s business what kind of healthcare a kid gets except for the kid, their guardian and their doctor. Everyone else should mind their own.

Karl Keyton5

"let's backslide on a few civil liberties, historically speaking that never accelerates into worse outcomes"

Rod Green5

The cases of Gender reassignment in TX and the country in general are so small that it shouldn't even be a campaign issue but the GOP uses it to manipulate and anger their bigot base. Talarico is playing into their hands.

Joe Kalicki3

No you can just say it doesn't happen and you don't have an opinion on fake things

Dethrone Dog2

“Doctors and families should be making medical decisions and government should stay out of it” Pretty easy.