Democrats criticized the Republican candidate for Missouri’s secretary of state for advising voters not to be “weak and gay” in a recently posted video.
Republican Valentina Gomez appears in the video. Posted on Sunday Her account on social platform
“In America, you can be anything you want to be,” Gomez says. “So don’t be weak and gay. Good luck.”
Democrats and LGBTQ rights groups condemned Gomez over the comments.
“To all LGBTQIA Missourians, your presence should not be used as a political football,” said Missouri House Minority Leader Crystal Quaid (D), who is also a candidate for Missouri governor. mentioned in Tuesday’s post With X.
“You are loved and you belong in the state of Missouri. I will not stop until our laws reflect that.”
Former Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander (D) tweeted Tuesday that “female Republican candidates who have never served in the military are using veteran cosplay, stolen courage, and bigotry like other men to promote strength.” It’s very refreshing to see what they’re doing instead.” in a post in response to a video from Gomez.
Gomez hits back at Kander in replysays she serves “Jesus Christ and the people of Missouri.”
“My brother is an active duty military member, and the vest is meant to make my running harder,” she said. “I don’t like baseball, so you should buy one too.”
“I sometimes wear body armor when I run,” Kander replied in another post. “Usually for fitness, not for a bad David Goggins impression. Good luck with your burning desire for internet fame. Oh, sorry, your ‘campaign’ That’s what I want to say. ”
Goggins is an ultra-marathon runner and former Navy SEAL.
Lupe Fiasco’s X account on Tuesday apparently referenced the outcry over the video, saying the rapper’s team was “aware and currently taking action.”
Brandon Wolf, national spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), an LGBTQ advocacy group, said: I got a reply on Tuesday too. Go to Gomez’s video in X’s post.
“The phrase ‘don’t be weak and gay’ grossly underestimates the strength it takes to coexist with idiots like this every day,” he said.
Earlier this year, Gomez posted her own campaign video calling for LGBTQ-inclusive books.
“When I become secretary of state, I’m going to put this in my grooming book,” she said in the video.
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