God Goes NON-BINARY—Texas Candidate Won’t Apologize

A Texas Democratic Senate candidate is refusing to back down from controversial 2021 remarks declaring God “non-binary,” reigniting a firestorm as Republicans weaponize the statement to expose what many see as progressive extremism masquerading as faith.

Story Snapshot

Texas State Rep. James Talarico stands by 2021 claim that “God is non-binary” despite intensifying GOP attacks during his 2026 Senate race
Talarico cited Hebrew grammar from Genesis to justify transgender advocacy, arguing trans children are “made in God’s own image”
Conservative theologians reject the claim as heretical distortion, noting biblical language consistently uses masculine pronouns for God
Recent podcast remarks calling atheists “more Christ-like” than Christian GOP colleagues fuel accusations of radicalism

Theological Claims Spark Political Firestorm

Texas State Rep. James Talarico delivered a provocative October 2021 speech on the Texas House floor, declaring “God is both masculine and feminine and everything in between. God is non-binary” while opposing HB 25, legislation requiring students to compete on sports teams matching their biological sex. The former Presbyterian seminarian cited Hebrew nouns for divinity and spirit from Genesis, asserting trans children reflect God’s image. His remarks, captured on video and widely circulated, drew immediate condemnation from conservative Christians who view the claim as theological nonsense designed to advance progressive gender ideology under the guise of scriptural interpretation.

Pattern of Progressive Faith Positioning

Talarico’s 2021 statement is part of a broader pattern of blending faith with left-wing activism. Before entering the legislature, he claimed “modern science recognizes six biological sexes” and that “sex is a spectrum” during a Public Education Committee hearing, assertions contradicting mainstream biological consensus. In September 2025, Talarico appeared on Joe Rogan’s podcast arguing the Bible permits abortion because Mary consented to the Annunciation. A January 2026 New York Times podcast featured him discussing how Buddhism and Hinduism enrich Christianity. Most recently, a March 2026 podcast captured him calling atheists “more Christ-like” than his Christian Republican colleagues, prompting fresh outrage among evangelicals who view such claims as cynical exploitation of religious language to justify secular progressive policies.

GOP Intensifies Attacks Amid Senate Race

As Talarico runs for U.S. Senate in 2026, Texas Republicans have revived the “God is non-binary” remarks to portray him as too radical for the state’s conservative electorate. GOP operatives highlight the comments alongside his abortion and gender positions, framing them as evidence Democrats have abandoned traditional values. Fox7 Austin reported Talarico “stood by the principles” of his 2021 speech but suggested he might rephrase the statement today, a stance critics interpret as tactical evasion rather than substantive reconsideration. The attacks resonate in evangelical-heavy Texas, where religious voters remain skeptical of progressive reinterpretations of scripture that appear designed to legitimize policies at odds with biblical teaching on creation, gender, and human life.

Conservative Theologians Reject Non-Binary Claim

Apologists and theologians have systematically dismantled Talarico’s argument. Deeper Waters Apologetics explained that while God transcends human categories, biblical language overwhelmingly uses masculine pronouns—Father, Son, King—to reveal divine nature, and the Genesis plural reference reflects Hebrew syntax, not gender fluidity. Critics note Talarico’s logic conflates God’s transcendence with modern gender theory, a category error that imposes 21st-century identity politics onto ancient texts. Mark Leibovich of The Atlantic warned the remarks could constitute “political suicide” in a statewide Texas race, underscoring the disconnect between progressive theology and mainstream voters. Meanwhile, supporters at Religion Unplugged defend Talarico as championing marginalized communities through “Matthew 25” Christianity, framing GOP attacks as anti-transgender proxies rather than legitimate theological critiques.

Broader Implications for Faith and Politics

Talarico’s defiance highlights a widening chasm between traditional Christianity and progressive attempts to reimagine faith through social justice lenses. For many conservatives, the spectacle of a politician declaring God “non-binary” to justify boys competing in girls’ sports epitomizes how elites twist foundational principles to serve partisan agendas. The controversy amplifies concerns that government and cultural institutions increasingly promote ideologies detached from the values on which the nation was founded. Whether Talarico’s strategy energizes progressive bases or alienates Texas moderates remains uncertain, but the episode underscores voter frustration with leaders who prioritize ideological posturing over addressing economic struggles, inflation, and governance failures affecting everyday Americans seeking opportunity through hard work and determination.