Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert Dates Bar Owner Who's Hosted Drag Shows

U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert, a far-right Republican known for her homophobic and transphobic rhetoric, is dating a man who co-owns a bar that has hosted LGBTQ+ events.

Boebert and her date, Aspen, Colo., bar proprietor Quinn Gallagher, were forced to leave the Buell Theater in Denver during a performance of the musical Beetlejuice Sunday night because they were disturbing other audience members.

Denver Arts & Venues, which operates the theater, told CNN two people were asked to leave because they were “vaping, singing, causing a disturbance,” leading other patrons to complain. The arts group did not identify the couple, but surveillance video obtained by a CNN affiliate shows Boebert and a companion leaving the theater. And Boebert owned up to her behavior in a social media post, saying, “I plead guilty to laughing and singing too loud!” and asking others to let her know how the show ends.

The couple argued with theater personnel who told them they were bothering others, and they initially refused to leave, but they finally did when theater workers threatened to call the police, CNN reports. Boebert’s campaign manager, Drew Sexton, issued a statement denying she was vaping but saying she was using her cell phone to take pictures, not realizing that was prohibited.

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The man with Boebert has now been identified as Gallagher, co-owner of Hooch Craft Cocktail Bar in Aspen. The U.K.’s Daily Mailwas the first to report the news.

The fact that they are dating is “very surprising,” someone described as “a well-placed source” told the Mail. “I always thought Quinn was a cool guy and a Democrat. His parents would be horrified because they are definitely blue,” the source said.

Social media posts show Hooch has hosted LGBTQ+ events, such as a women’s party for Aspen Gay Ski Week and a drag performance called “A Winter Wonderland Burlesque & Drag Show.”

Boebert, who is in her second term representing a Colorado district in Congress, is known for denouncing drag shows and everything else associated with the LGBTQ+ community. Her comments have included tweets saying, “Take your children to CHURCH, not drag bars,” and “A North Carolina preschool is using LGBT flag flashcards with a pregnant man to teach kids colors. We went from Reading Rainbow to Randy Rainbow in a few decades, but don’t dare say the Left is grooming our kids!”

Recently she denounced sporting goods retailer North Face for partnering with a drag queen to promote its Pride collection. “How many times do we have to explain to the woke marketing departments at these disgusting companies that America is not a nation of degenerates?” she tweeted in May. “It’s time to boycott ANY product North Face has ever made. Let’s make it as shameful to wear North Face as it is to drink Bud Light!”

In March, she got two anti-trans amendments attached to a so-called parents’ rights bill that passed the U.S. House. They call for parental notification if trans students are allowed to play on the sports teams or use the restrooms designated for their gender identity. The bill has been referred to a committee in the Senate and is not expected to pass in that chamber.

In May, Boebert filed for divorce from her husband of 18 years, Jason Boebert. They have four children.