When Politics Crosses the Line: Stigma Should Never Be a Campaign Strategy - FL Politics
A disturbing political text message targeting Florida State Senator and congressional candidate Shevrin Jones recently began circulating among voters. The message, falsely attributed to LGBTQ+ advocacy organization Equality Florida, claimed that Jones was HIV-positive and attempted to connect that claim to a 2020 incident in which he was prevented from donating plasma. Equality Florida has denied any involvement in the message and has condemned it as a homophobic smear. Stigma Should Never Be a Campaign Strategy FL POLITICSFl Politics
Politics can be tough. Candidates challenge one another’s records, decisions, policies, qualifications, and leadership. That comes with running for public office.
But there is a difference between political opposition and personal destruction.
This is bigger than one candidate or one election.
As a nurse practitioner, what concerns me most is what happens when HIV stigma is deliberately used as a political weapon. I have seen firsthand the damage stigma can cause. I have seen what happens when people are afraid to get tested, afraid to seek treatment, or afraid to speak honestly with their healthcare providers because they fear being judged.
Stigma is not harmless political rhetoric. It has real-world consequences.
There Is No Shame in Living With HIV
This needs to be said plainly:
There is no shame in living with HIV.
The allegation made about Shevrin Jones was false. But that should not be where the conversation ends.
A person living with HIV is not less worthy of dignity. They are not less deserving of love.
They are not less capable of having a career, raising a family, serving their community, leading an organization, or holding public office.
A medical diagnosis does not determine a person's character.
When political messaging uses someone’s health, sexuality, race, or identity to create fear, shame, or suspicion, we have moved far beyond debating who is best qualified to serve.
We have crossed a line!
And when HIV stigma is introduced into a political campaign, particularly within the Black community, we cannot ignore the larger impact.
Black communities have spent decades confronting healthcare disparities, misinformation, limited access to care, and stigma surrounding HIV. Healthcare professionals, advocates, churches, community organizations, and families have worked tirelessly to educate people and encourage testing, treatment, prevention, and honest conversations.
Political campaigns should not undo that work for the sake of winning an election.
Politics Should Be About the Record
If you do not support a candidate, challenge their record.
Talk about their votes.
Talk about legislation they have supported or opposed.
Talk about the issues affecting the people they represent.
Talk about whether you believe another candidate has a stronger vision.
That is politics!
But attempting to damage a candidate by making claims or insinuations about his health or using his sexuality as a political weapon is something entirely different.
The Black Community Deserves Better Political Discourse
There is another part of this conversation we cannot ignore.
Black voters should not continually be subjected to campaigns that rely on fear, misinformation, homophobia, stereotypes, or shame to influence how we vote.
Our communities face serious issues.
Housing affordability. Healthcare. Insurance costs. Education. Economic opportunity. Small businesses. Crime. Infrastructure. Senior services. Jobs.
Those are the conversations candidates should be fighting about.
Tell voters what you are going to do.
Tell us how your policies are different.
Tell us why your leadership is better.
Tell us what you have accomplished.
Tell us what you plan to accomplish next.
Give voters something to vote FOR instead of simply giving them someone to hate.
One of the biggest problems in modern politics is the idea that if something helps your candidate win, it is automatically acceptable. It is not.
Winning does not excuse dishonesty.
Winning does not excuse prejudice.
Winning does not excuse attacking someone's sexuality.
Winning does not excuse reinforcing HIV stigma.
And winning certainly does not excuse destroying another person's reputation through medical claims or insinuations that have nothing to do with their ability to serve.
Campaigns reveal something about the candidate, but they also reveal something about the people surrounding that candidate.
What are you willing to say?
What are you willing to circulate?
What are you willing to allow your supporters to believe?
And most importantly, what are you willing to become in order to win?
Those questions matter.
Some Things Should Still Be Beneath Us
We do not have to support the same candidate to agree on basic standards of decency.
Challenge policy.
Challenge leadership.
Challenge experience.
Challenge decisions.
But when political strategy depends on humiliating someone, we should all be willing to call it what it is.
That is not strong campaigning. That is character assassination.
And it is beneath the kind of political leadership our communities deserve.
Elections come and go. Candidates win and lose. But the division we reinforce during those campaigns can remain long after Election Day.
Politics should be competitive. It should never require us to abandon our humanity.
Our democracy is stronger when voters are informed, engaged, and focused on the issues that affect their communities. Before you share political information, verify it. Before you cast your vote, know the candidates, know their records, and make your voice heard.
Protect Your Voice. Use Your Voice.
Stay informed. Verify what you see and share. Learn where the candidates stand on the issues that matter to you and VOTE!
About the Author
Leslie Wimes is a nurse practitioner and community advocate who believes healthcare, public policy, and civic engagement are deeply connected. She is committed to challenging misinformation, advocating for healthier communities, and encouraging voters to stay informed and engaged.
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