James Talarico called parents who reject a child’s gender identity abusive
The resurfaced remarks put parents’ authority in custody decisions before Texas voters as Talarico runs for the U.S. Senate in 2026.
Fox News reports that a resurfaced 2019 Texas Legislature hearing video shows then-state lawmaker James Talarico calling parents’ refusal to affirm a child’s gender identity “abusive for sure.”
“abusive for sure.”
Parents and custody
HB 1910 aimed to prevent that refusal from being treated as child abuse in custody cases1. Talarico opposed the bill, saying that ruling out such a refusal as abuse could endanger vulnerable children1.
What the bill said
HB 1910’s text would have barred courts from considering a parent’s acknowledgment or denial of a child’s gender identity when appointing a managing conservator1. Talarico said, “Some of us I think really do consider this abusive behavior... an unwillingness to identify, acknowledge a child's gender identity.”1 The original bill died in committee; a stronger version passed the Texas House in May 2025 and became law1.
Votes on the law
Fox News reports that Talarico cast one of 59 nay votes on the 2025 law1.
Fox News also reports that Talarico voted for an amendment to sunset the law in 20301. He also supported a separate amendment whose author said that “rejecting a child's gender identity or sexual orientation is abuse” and “should be treated as such under Texas law.”1
Campaign response
Talarico campaign spokesperson JT Ennis said Talarico believes parents “have the most important say in decisions about their children.”1 Fox News describes Talarico as the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Texas, with the election set for Nov. 3, 20261.
Sources
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