A past appearance at a Texas Pride festival featuring an 11-year-old drag performer is drawing renewed attention to Democrat James Talarico’s positions on children, gender and religion as he faces Republican Ken Paxton in the race for the U.S. Senate.
Texas Democrat James Talarico is facing fresh questions about his record on cultural issues after a previously reported appearance at a 2021 Pride festival featuring a young drag performer returned to the political spotlight.
The event, held in Taylor, Texas, on June 26, 2021, has become another point of contention in the Senate campaign. Republicans have repeatedly criticized Talarico’s progressive views on gender identity and LGBTQ-related legislation, arguing that his public statements and policy positions deserve closer examination as voters consider the candidates.
The controversy centers on the Taylor PRIDE festival, where Talarico, a Texas state representative and Presbyterian seminarian, appeared as a featured speaker. The gathering also included an 11-year-old performer known by the stage name Kween Kee Kee. The Washington Free Beacon reported on the event in August 2026, bringing renewed attention to photographs, promotional materials and videos from the festival.
