Texas Democrat’s ‘Nonbinary God’ Remark Draws Severe Backlash

Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico faced difficult questions about his religious beliefs during a CNN town hall after a Christian voter challenged his previous statements about God’s gender, abortion, and biblical teachings. Far-lefist Talarico has described God as nonbinary and his use of biblical passages to defend abortion.

Talarico, who is campaigning for a U.S. Senate seat, acknowledged that some of his earlier religious comments were intentionally provocative. The exchange placed renewed attention on the Democrat’s interpretation of Christianity and its relationship to politically divisive social issues.

The confrontation occurred during a town hall featuring direct conversations between Talarico and voters. One participant, Texas small business owner Sarah Gardner, questioned whether his public statements reflected traditional Christian beliefs.

Gardner specifically cited his previous description of God as nonbinary, his remarks about gender, and his use of biblical passages to defend abortion rights.

She suggested those positions had raised doubts among Christian voters about the sincerity of Talarico’s faith.

Gardner then asked whether he regarded the Bible as the ultimate source of religious authority, even when its teachings conflicted with contemporary cultural attitudes.

Talarico answered “Yes,” before explaining that disagreements over biblical interpretation have existed throughout Christianity’s history.

He argued that the earliest Christian communities were not entirely united in their theological positions and frequently debated important religious questions.

The Democrat then addressed his earlier remarks about God’s gender, conceding that his language had been deliberately provocative.

“The first comment about God not being defined by gender, when I said that I was being provocative,” Talarico acknowledged during the exchange.

He explained that his underlying position was that God cannot be adequately described using ordinary human classifications, including conventional understandings of gender.

Talarico also referenced the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk and former Pope Benedict XVI, arguing that similar theological ideas had been expressed by figures outside his political movement.

He conceded that his original presentation may have frustrated some audiences, acknowledging that his approach could have been perceived as unnecessarily irritating.

The controversy stems partly from previous remarks in which Talarico described God as encompassing masculine and feminine characteristics while also existing beyond traditional gender categories.

“God is nonbinary,” he previously stated, citing the plural language used in Genesis 1:26 as part of his interpretation of scripture.

His religious arguments have also extended to abortion. During a 2025 appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience, Talarico disputed the idea that the Bible establishes one universally accepted Christian position on the issue.

“The idea that there is a set Christian orthodoxy on the issue of abortion is just not rooted in Scripture,” he said during that discussion.

The CNN exchange highlighted the challenges Talarico faces in explaining his religious positions to voters who hold more traditional Christian views. With his previous comments drawing renewed attention during the Senate campaign, questions about faith, abortion, and biblical interpretation remain prominent in the political debate.