rights
GOP congressman says Talarico is "a barely straight Buttigieg" so he shouldn't be around kids
By Alex Bollinger at LGBTQ Nation
· June 15, 2026
· 1 min read
A Republican Congressman said that Texas state Rep. James Talarico (D) is "a barely straight" version of former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and then said that that's why he wouldn't want Talarico "around my young kids." Rep. Brandon Gill (R-TX), age 32, was speaking with Fox host Kayleig
Key takeaway James Talarico (D) is "a barely straight" version of former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and then said that that's why he wouldn't want Talarico "around my young kids.
Why this matters
The comments made by Rep. Brandon Gill about Texas state Rep. James Talarico are part of a larger pattern of conservatives using hateful stereotypes to portray LGBTQ+ individuals as a threat to children. This tactic is often employed to discredit and demonize LGBTQ+ people, particularly those in public office. By framing Talarico as "a barely straight version of Pete Buttigieg" and implying that he is not fit to be around children, Gill is perpetuating a harmful and baseless narrative. This kind of rhetoric can have serious consequences, contributing to a climate of fear and hostility towards LGBTQ+ individuals and their allies. As the election season heats up, it will be important to watch how this kind of rhetoric is used and how it is received by voters. The National LGBTQ Task Force and other organizations have long worked to counter such stereotypes and promote understanding and acceptance of LGBTQ+ people.
About this story
Original reporting by LGBTQ Nation . LGBTQ News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: rights ·
Published: June 15, 2026 ·
Source: LGBTQ Nation ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A Republican Congressman said that Texas state Rep. James Talarico (D) is "a barely straight" version of former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and then said that that's why he wouldn't want Talarico "around my young kids." Rep. Brandon Gill (R-TX), age 32, was speaking with Fox host Kayleig
When was this published? This article was first published on June 15, 2026 by LGBTQ Nation and curated for LGBTQ News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Alex Bollinger at LGBTQ Nation. To learn more about how LGBTQ News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more rights coverage from LGBTQ News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .