ABOVE: Rep. Shevrin Jones, photo via Jones’ Facebook page.
Florida State Rep. Shevrin Jones, who is currently running to represent Senate District 35, was the target of homophobic campaign texts Aug. 9 after being turned away from donating plasma because of his sexuality.
Jones, who will become Florida’s first openly LGBTQ state senator if elected, recently recovered from COVID-19. He attempted to donate plasma to assist in coronavirus recovery efforts Aug. 7.
“I was blessed to get through Covid, and it’s only right that we bless someone else and give them a fighting chance to live also,” he shared. “It’s the right thing to do.”
I was blessed to get through Covid, and it’s only right that we bless someone else and give them a fighting chance to live also. It’s the right thing to do. https://t.co/m4QRFZmV3l
— Shevrin “Shev” Jones (@ShevrinJones) August 7, 2020
He subsequently shared that his sexuality prevented the donation, expressing his disappointment with One Blood.
The blood center “would not allow me to donate my blood plasma, due to my sexual orientation,” Jones wrote. “I was ‘deferred’ for another time. The good news is, my mom, dad, brother and over 20 other people saved a life today!”
“Too bad my blood plasma isn’t good enough,” he added.
Too bad my blood plasma isn’t good enough.
— Shevrin “Shev” Jones (@ShevrinJones) August 7, 2020
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration policy barring men who have sex with men from donating blood was first enacted in the 1980s. It was amended in 2015 to allow donation if they had abstained from sex for one year and changed to three months in April in response to COVID-19.
In a statement to the Miami Herald, which detailed Jones’ experience, OneBlood noted the center must adhere to FDA guidelines.
“Saving a life shouldn’t be prevented because of who you love,” Jones shared Aug. 8. “The [FDA] should look at this antiquated policy and do away with it.”
Saving a life shouldn’t be prevented because of who you love. The @US_FDA should look at this antiquated policy and do away with it. I would love to work with Sen @marcorubio and @SenRickScott to do away with this policy, especially during this time. https://t.co/lRBfK4fWdR
— Shevrin “Shev” Jones (@ShevrinJones) August 8, 2020
Jones subsequently shared Aug. 9 that the same Miami Herald article was used for a homophobic attack against him. A robotext was sent to area voters advising the outlet “reported that Shevrin Jones was discriminated against for recent homosexual contact.”
Recipients were directed to a fake campaign website for Jones which included the article detailing the experience. You can view it below:
Pretty sure @samanthajgross wasn’t reporting on the indecent stigma attached to plasma/blood donation so an opponent of @ShevrinJones could launch a fake website and try to stoke divide – thanks for reminding us how much we need to improve as people. See ya’ on the playground! pic.twitter.com/IdTsOGOduD
— Sen. Jason Pizzo (@senpizzo) August 10, 2020
“My opponents have sent out a discriminatory and hateful text message to voters,” Jones shared. “This type of bigotry should have no place in our community. For the past 8 years, I have worked towards a path to equality and prosperity for all of us.”
“Regardless of these nasty attacks, I plan on fighting for you in the Florida Senate,” he continued. “I ask that you ignore this kind of trash. Please #VoteShev on or before August 18th.”
Regardless of these nasty attacks, I plan on fighting for you in the Florida Senate. I ask that you ignore this kind of trash. Please #VoteShev on or before August 18th. https://t.co/9lZIcYJ0Yy
— Shevrin “Shev” Jones (@ShevrinJones) August 10, 2020
“Rather than running off the issues that matter to the voters of our community, they have chosen to lob desperate attacks based on an antiquated, discriminatory FDA policy,” he added Aug. 10. “Hate never wins. #WEthePEOPLE”
Rather than running off the issues that matter to the voters of our community, they have chosen to lob desperate attacks based on an antiquated, discriminatory FDA policy … Hate never wins. #WEthePEOPLE
Read more here: https://t.co/I2kGw7KbES
https://t.co/J2mw3KqJ2D— Shevrin “Shev” Jones (@ShevrinJones) August 10, 2020
Six candidates are currently vying to represent SD-35 in the Aug. 18 primary. Jones has been endorsed by Equality Florida, the Human Rights Campaign and more. For more information about his campaign, visit ShevrinJones.com.
