HUFF POST
Valentina Gomez, a Republican running for Missouri secretary of state, posted a video to social media this week in which she blowtorched books, falsely claimed that books with LGBTQ+ themes are indoctrinating and sexualizing children, and promised to preside over widespread efforts to remove books from public libraries if she wins her race.
“This is what I will do to the grooming books when I become secretary of state,” Gomez says in the video, posted to X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, before releasing a blaze of fire. “These books come from a Missouri public library. When I’m in office, they will burn.”
“Naked: Not Your Average Sex Encyclopedia” by Myriam Daguzan Bernier and “Queer: The Ultimate LGBTQ Guide for Teens” by Kathy Belge and Marke Bieschke were on the receiving end of Gomez’s flames in the video.
Missouri’s secretary of state has myriad responsibilities, including serving as chief election official, overseeing the state library system and administering emergency rules, which are state regulations that can be implemented rapidly. Gomez, a real estate investor and financier, says on her campaign website that she will “review” library funding and programs in order to “ensure they genuinely strengthen Missouri’s future.” She also supports banning gender-affirming health care for trans youth and getting rid of electronic voting machines.
On Thursday, Gomez posted a screenshot on Instagram, which is owned by Meta, showing that the company had removed the video from its platform…
