James Talarico, a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Texas, is facing criticism from conservative commentators after naming Alyssa Edwards as his favorite drag queen during a public appearance.
Alyssa Edwards is the stage persona of Justin Dwayne Lee Johnson, a 46-year-old performer from Texas who won the Miss Gay America title in 2010. Johnson also runs the Beyond Belief Dance Company, which works with young dancers, and has publicly opposed legislation that would restrict children’s exposure to drag performances.
Johnson has spoken about mentoring young performers, including describing a moment at World Pride in New York where he shared the stage with his dance students.
“I remember being at World Pride in New York a few years back and sharing the stage with my dance students, one of the most powerful moments of my life… I pride myself in being a positive role model in and out of drag and the best mentor that I can be for these young artists.”
“It was so powerful to share that stage with my kids… I mean, talk about fulfilling a moment that was needed. That was so special.”
“There was a moment when I was so frustrated and angry, because here I am: a drag performer that works with children. I’ve incorporated my students in a lot of my work, and I’m very proud of that.”
Johnson has referred to one of his students, a 10-year-old named J.J. Garza, as his “mini-me.”
Talarico, a member of the Texas House, has made public statements in support of transgender youth. Speaking on the Texas House floor in 2023, he told trans children, “I just want to say, I love you and so do a lot of people in this room, and so do a lot of people around this big state. I know it may not seem like it tonight, but you are loved beyond measure.”
In a separate 2023 podcast appearance, Talarico said, “I love — I’m just going to say this because it’s on my mind — the trans children who showed up yesterday at the state Capitol to advocate for their humanity. They shouldn’t have to, but it was an inspiration to watch.”
Talarico has also described parents who do not support their children’s gender exploration as “abusive” and “destructive,” arguing that “there’s only one person who can determine a child’s gender identity, and that’s the child.”
Conservative outlets, including Breitbart News, have seized on Talarico’s comment about Alyssa Edwards to criticize his broader record on transgender and drag-related issues, framing the remark as evidence of a pattern rather than an isolated aside. Talarico’s campaign has not issued a public response to the criticism as of this writing.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login