Democrat U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico is taking a second bite of the Big Apple Tuesday night, holding another New York City fundraiser, this time with several leaders of an organization that advocates gender-transition drugs and surgeries for minors.
The Greenwich Village fundraiser comes as Talarico has sought to distance himself from gender-mutilation surgeries for children, with his campaign recently saying he does not support the practice.
However, three hosts of Tuesday’s fundraiser currently serve on the board of the Human Rights Campaign or its foundation, which advocates access to what it calls “gender-affirming care” for transgender minors.
In a guide published by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, the organization says puberty-blocking drugs can be administered to adolescents and that some gender-confused youth “may benefit from gender-affirming surgery,” which it says is “rarely an option under the age of 17.”
The guide also provides a chart detailing what HRC describes as the “Common Steps in Gender Transition.”
It lists puberty blockers for early- to mid-adolescents and cross-sex hormones, including testosterone for females and estrogen with an androgen inhibitor for males, for older adolescents.
The guide also lists sex-rejecting surgeries for older adolescents “as appropriate,” including “top” surgeries involving breasts and chests and “bottom” surgeries involving genitals or reproductive organs.
Talarico’s current position on surgeries for minors has drawn scrutiny because of his record in the Texas Legislature.
In 2023, Talarico voted against Senate Bill 14, which prohibited physicians from performing gender-mutilation surgeries on minors as well as prescribing puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones for the purpose of transitioning a child’s sex.
The legislation ultimately passed and was signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott.
Talarico also voted in 2025 against Senate Bill 1257, which requires health plans covering gender-mutilation procedures to also cover adverse effects and follow-up care, including treatment intended to manage or reverse the effects of the procedures.
Among the hosts of Tuesday night’s fundraiser is Morgan Cox, a current member of HRC’s board of directors.
Cox and his husband, Derrall Hill, have repeatedly served as major sponsors of the Black Tie Dinner in Dallas, one of the country’s largest LGBTQ fundraising events and a beneficiary of HRC. Talarico attended the dinner in November 2025.
Former U.S. Ambassador to Spain James Costos is also hosting the fundraiser. Costos currently serves on both the Human Rights Campaign Board of Directors and the HRC Foundation Board.
Costos and his partner, Michael S. Smith, another host of the Talarico fundraiser, were named among “Obama’s Power Gays” by The Advocate in 2011 for their campaign fundraising. Smith also served as the Obama White House decorator.
Author Andrew Solomon, another host, currently serves on the HRC Foundation Board of Directors.
Solomon has also been involved with other LGBTQ organizations, including serving on the boards of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and Trans Youth Family Allies.
Solomon and his husband, John Habich, hosted a 2024 benefit for the Chosen Family Law Center, which provides legal services for LGBTQ families, asylum seekers, and transgender individuals while also engaging in legislative advocacy.
Tuesday’s fundraiser also includes Mihail Lari, who served on GLAAD’s board of directors from 2001 to 2005 and has financially supported Immigration Equality, an organization providing legal and advocacy assistance to LGBTQ immigrants.
The event marks Talarico’s second New York fundraiser in as many days. Suggested contributions range from $1,000 for an individual ticket to $13,500 for the top “Champion” level, with host and co-host levels set at $5,000 and $3,500.
On Monday, Talarico attended another fundraiser featuring actor Robert De Niro and former U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown. Its host committee included several fundraisers and political allies of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist.
Talarico’s campaign did not respond to a request for comment on the fundraiser or whether his participation is consistent with his stated opposition to gender mutilation surgery for children.
