GOP candidate posts menacing message about LGBTQ+-friendly churches while holding a gun

Republican candidate for Missouri secretary of state and anti-LGBTQ+ extremist Valentina Gomez posted a video with violent rhetoric to social media where she accused LGBTQ+-friendly churches of promoting “Satanic and pedophile garbage.” She said that her response to those churches would not be to “turn the other cheek” and would result in her going to jail. She then posted a picture of herself holding a rifle in the video.

“I will not let Jesus Christ be mocked,” Gomez said while standing in front of a church with a rainbow flag. “All this Satanic and pedophile garbage in the Olympics, in our churches, and in our government will end when Christians and Catholics start fighting back.”

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She accused “weak and gay” Purina dog food of “protecting pedophiles.”

“I will not turn the other cheek when defending Jesus Christ,” she continued. “And if this lands me in jail, then so be it. Screw your gay garbage.”

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“I’m coming for all the pedophiles this flag represents.”

Then, if her message wasn’t clear enough, she posted a picture of herself holding a rifle.

“Gay churches are a cancer,” she wrote.

Jesus Christ will not be mocked. I kneel before Him and I don’t fear anyone. Gay churches are a cancer. pic.twitter.com/O8QgJfALpr

— Valentina Gomez (@ValentinaForSOS) July 28, 2024

LGBTQ+-friendly houses of worship have been a lightning rod for violence and threats of violence in the past several years. A report from GLAAD and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) earlier this year found over 60 incidents of anti-LGBTQ+ hate directed at places of worship from June 2022 to January 2024.

White supremacist Aimenn D. Penny, for example, was sentenced to 18 years in prison after he attempted to firebomb an LGBTQ+-friendly church in Chester, Ohio that was hosting a drag story hour event.

LGBTQ+-friendly churches have also been targeted for vandalism. An Atlanta church whose congregation is 40% LGBTQ+ had its Progress Pride flag torn down “aggressively” by a vandal this past January.

“For years, anti-LGBTQ activists relied on the stereotype of LGBTQ condemnation from religious figures,” said GLAAD’s Ross Murray.

“Now that religious communities are faithfully coming to the conclusion that the LGBTQ community should be safe from violence and welcomed into faith communities, anti-LGBTQ activists are turning to violence and intimidation on those faith communities. Faith leaders cannot back down or allow their voices to be silenced by a radical fringe, but must continue to stand for the safety and welcome of LGBTQ people.”

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