A Republican candidate in Missouri used a flamethrower to “groom, indoctrinate and sexualize” books in a wild video shared on social media as part of her campaign.
Valentina Gómez, 24, who is running for Secretary of State, shared images of herself setting fire to two LGBTQ-inclusive books on X on Tuesday.
‘When I am Secretary of State, I WILL BURN all the books that are grooming, indoctrinating and sexualizing our children. MAGA. “America first,” she wrote.
Gomez ended the video with a photo of her holding a large assault rifle and her campaign sign.
He complained that his clip was censored on Instagram and X, as it was flagged as hateful behavior.
A Republican candidate in Missouri has used a flamethrower to ‘groom, indoctrinate and sexualize’ books in a viral video shared as part of her campaign.
Valentina Gómez, 24, who is running for Secretary of State, shared images of herself setting fire to two LGBTQ-inclusive books on X on Tuesday.
Gómez began the video by showing his flamethrower that was already on.
“This is what I will do with the toilet books when I am Secretary of State,” she said before burning the books.
‘These books come from a public library in Missouri. When I’m in office, they will burn,” he added.
The books in the video included 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.
His campaign director, Maicoll Gómez, said NBC News the ‘message is simple’.
‘Do you want to be gay? It’s okay to be gay. Just don’t do it around children,” she said in a statement.
‘Stop putting books on sexualization, indoctrination and grooming of children in libraries. Children need to learn math, science, develop their people skills, get fit and at the same time protect their innocence.
‘Not learning the ideologies that the radical left loves to impose on children. I am against all drag shows surrounding children, pride flags in classrooms, teachers with pronouns, people who want to “change” their gender, and people who can’t even define what a woman is.
‘If genitals don’t define gender, how does removing them affirm it? I only fear God.’
Gómez began the video by showing his flamethrower that was already on.
She ended the video with a photo of her holding an oversized assault rifle, as well as her campaign sign.
The books in the video included 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 Gómez burned, said Americans “should be concerned that a candidate for public office not only thinks that book burning is acceptable, but that it is something that will help him get elected.” .
“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,” he added.
‘We discuss important topics facing teens, such as coming out, bullying, dating, and finding community and support. And yes, dealing with enemies like this political candidate.
“I suggest that this candidate leave queer kids alone and focus instead on the real issues that will improve the lives of people in Missouri.”
Gomez’s post is similar to one made by Missouri state senator and 2024 Republican 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’m taking a flamethrower (sic) to cardboard boxes that represent what I’m going to do with the leftist politics and RINO corruption of the Jeff City swamp,” he wrote on X.
“But let’s be clear: If you bring those pornographic books into Missouri schools to try to brainwash our children, I will burn them too… on the front lawn of the governor’s mansion.”
Republican states have increasingly pushed to ban books they say are inappropriate for children outside of school libraries.
Missouri is one of about 40 states that have introduced bills to restrict how critical race theory, racism or sexism is discussed in classrooms since January 2021.