A Republican candidate in Missouri has used a flamethrower to “groom, indoctrinate and sexualize” books in a wild video shared on social media as part of her campaign.
24-year-old Valentina Gomez, who is running for foreign minister, shared footage of herself setting fire to two LGBTQ books on X on Tuesday.
“When I become Secretary of State, I will BURN all the books that groom, indoctrinate and sexualize our children. MAGA. America First,” she wrote.
Gomez closed the video with a photo of herself holding a large assault rifle, as well as her campaign poster.
She complained that her clip was censored on Instagram and X because it was flagged as hateful conduct.
A GOP candidate in Missouri used a flamethrower to ‘groom, indoctrinate and sexualize’ books in a viral video shared as part of her campaign
Valentina Gomez, 24, who is running for secretary of state, shared footage of herself setting fire to two LGBTQ books on X on Tuesday
When I become Secretary of State, I will burn all the books that groom, indoctrinate and sexualize our children. MAGA. America first
pic.twitter.com/m8waKi3yhP
— Valentina Gomez (@ValentinaForSOS) February 6, 2024
Gomez started the video by showing off her flamethrower that was already lit.
“This is what I’m going to do with the nursing books when I become secretary of state,” she said before burning the books.
“These books come from a public library in Missouri. If I am in power, they will burn,” she added.
The books in the video include Naked: Not Your Average Sex Encyclopedia, written by Myriam Daguzan Bernier and Queer, 2nd Edition: The Ultimate LGBTQ Guide for Teens by Kathy Belge and Marke Bieschke.
Her campaign director Maicoll Gomez said this NBC News the ‘message is simple.’
‘Do you want to be gay? It’s good to be gay. Just don’t do it around children,” she said in a statement.
‘Stop placing books in libraries about the sexualization, indoctrination and grooming of children. Children need to learn math and science, develop their social skills, get fit and protect their innocence at the same time.
‘Not learning the ideologies that the radical left likes to impose on children. I’m against all drag shows around children, pride flags in classrooms, teachers with pronouns, people who want to change genders, and people who can’t even define what a woman is.
“If genitals don’t define gender, how can removing them confirm it? I only fear God.’
Gomez started the video by showing off her flamethrower that was already lit
She ended the video with a photo of herself holding a large assault rifle, as well as her campaign poster
The books in the video include Naked: Not Your Average Sex Encyclopedia, written by Myriam Daguzan Bernier and Queer, 2nd Edition: The Ultimate LGBTQ Guide for Teens by Kathy Belge and Marke Bieschke
Belge, one of the authors of the books Gomez burned, said Americans “should be concerned that a candidate for public office not only thinks that burning books is acceptable, but that it is something that will help her get elected.” become.’
“My book Queer: The Ultimate LGBTQ Book for Teens was written to provide teens with accurate and helpful information about what it means to be part of the LGBTQ community,” she added.
“We discuss important issues teens face such as coming out, bullying, dating, and finding community and support. And yes, dealing with haters like this political candidate.
“I suggest this candidate leave queer kids alone and instead focus on the real issues that will make the lives of people in Missouri better.”
Gomez’s post is similar to that of Missouri state senator and 2024 Republican Party gubernatorial candidate Bill Eigel.
He, along with State Senator Nick Schroer, was seen shooting flames at cardboard boxes and books during the St. Charles County Freedom Fest event outside St. Louis on September 15.
“In the video I take a flamethrower(sic) to cardboard boxes that represent what I’m going to do with the leftist policies and RINO corruption of the Jeff City swamp,” he wrote on X.
“But let’s be clear: You’re bringing those woke pornographic books into Missouri schools to try to brainwash our children, and I’ll burn those too — in the front yard of the governor’s mansion.”
Republican states have increasingly banned books they claim are inappropriate for children from school libraries.
Missouri is one of about 40 states that have introduced bills since January 2021 to limit discussion of critical race theory, racism or sexism in the classroom.
