Florida politician Shevrin Jones comes out as gay
The politician has revealed he's "living his truth" now.
Florida representative Shevrin Jones has come out as gay.
Jones, a three-term representative, has said he’s known he was gay since he was in kindergarten but only came out to his family five years ago.
Speaking to the Miami Herald, Jones revealed that the death of his brother helped him become more open. Recalling his last memory of his brother, Jones said: “He was like, ‘Man, please.’ So I leaned on him a little more. And that was my last moment with him. He never judged me.
“My brother died at the age of 34. I was like, that could have been me. I could drop dead living behind the scenes of something that could have helped someone else.”
He then decided to live “his truth a little more” and came out after Equality Florida’s political director included him in a list of endorsements of openly gay candidates. However, his sexuality wasn’t completely a secret as he had already confided in some colleagues when he was divorcing his ex-wife.
Jones now lives with his partner in Hollywood, a city in Florida, and feels relaxed about his sexuality. Addressing whether his sexuality would have an impact on his career, Jones said: “Mark my words: Now that I’m living my truth, if I am never elected again, I’m OK with that.
“Because there are so many people right now who are in office, in places of high stature, who are not living truthful lives and they sleep with that lie on a daily basis.”
He added: “If my living my truth is a reason to vote against me or vote me out, then I’m OK with that.”