DENVER, COLORADO: Republican firebrand Lauren Boebert, known for her outspoken conservative views, has found herself in the midst of controversy yet again.
This time, it's due to her reported relationship with Quinn Gallagher, who reportedly co-owns a gay-friendly bar known for hosting drag shows.
The irony here lies in Boebert's past criticisms of drag culture, which she claimed offends her Christian beliefs.
Despite her public stance against drag, Boebert was recently spotted engaging in public displays of affection with Quinn Gallagher at a 'Beetlejuice' musical.
Does Lauren Boebert's boyfriend host drag shows?
Gallagher, believed to be a Democrat, reportedly earns his living through drag performances and co-owns the Hooch Craft Cocktail Bar in Aspen, which is known for its inclusive atmosphere and drag events.
The Hooch Craft Cocktail Bar gained attention for hosting a "Winter Wonderland Burlesque & Drag Show," as revealed by social media posts, per the Daily Mail.
In addition, it was also the venue for an event during Aspen Gay Ski Week, which was described as an "evening of cocktails, appetizers, and laughs" in a Facebook post.
Critics of Boebert were quick to point out what they saw as hypocrisy on her part.
"She doesn't want her followers to go to drag bars because they might see her there," one tweeted.
"Gallagher risks losing a good size chunk of his customer base," another wrote.
"No one would care about this. But because @laurenboebert sees herself as holier than thou so often, she deserves to be buried for it," someone else added.
"You’d think that they would remember attending or supporting these events, and decide to stay quiet when asked to jump on the bandwagon to demoralize these groups. They know the internet is forever. They really are that stupid or think we are," another fumed.
Lauren Boebert video
The controversy drew attention to Boebert's perceived inconsistency in her beliefs and actions.
The congresswoman found herself in the spotlight after footage emerged of Gallagher and Boebert engaging in public displays of affection at a theater in Denver.
The video showed Gallagher getting "handsy" with Boebert, who, in turn, was seen waving her hands, singing loudly, using flash photography, and vaping inside the theater.
When theater staff attempted to remove her, she reacted aggressively. Initially, Boebert denied the allegations, attributing the vape smoke to a fog machine and releasing a sarcastic statement.
However, she later issued an apology, citing her "public and difficult divorce" as the cause of her behavior.
"The past few days have been difficult and humbling, and I'm truly sorry," she said in a statement.
"There's no perfect blueprint for going through a public and difficult divorce, which over the past few months has made a challenging personal time for me and my entire family."
Boebert and her husband of 18 years, Jason, had a shock split in May, and their divorce proceedings are ongoing.
Is Lauren Boebert's boyfriend a Democrat?
According to a source close to the situation, Boebert and Gallagher had been secretly dating for several months.
This revelation surprised many, as Gallagher was known to be a Democrat, which contrasts with Boebert's conservative Republican views.
One source told the Daily Mail, "It's very surprising. I always thought Quinn was a cool guy and a Democrat. His parents would be horrified because they are definitely blue."
Pictures obtained by the newspaper show Gallagher in his hometown on the outskirts of Aspen, where he co-owns Hooch Craft Cocktail Bar with his partner Pat Flannigan.
The bar is described as "rustic and unpretentious" and has been in operation since April 2016.
Gallagher reportedly hails from Boebert's hometown of Rifle, Colorado, thereby adding another layer of intrigue to their relationship.
In her official statement following the divorce, Boebert expressed sorrow and emphasized her commitment to her marriage and the privacy of her children.
"It is with a heavy weight on my heart that I have filed for divorce from my husband. I am grateful for our years of marriage together and for our beautiful children, all of whom deserve privacy and love as we work through this process," she said.
"I've always been faithful in my marriage, and I believe strongly in marriage, which makes this announcement that much more difficult."
