Gay Fla. Congressional candidate's campaign signs vandalized

Openly gay North Miami Commissioner and Congressional candidate Scott Galvin received a nasty surprise last week when he received word some half-dozen of his campaign signs had been defaced with the word "fag" spray-painted on them by an anonymous vandal.

Galvin said the incident surprised him, but doubts anyone with his opponents' campaigns was involved. He has been open about his sexual orientation since his election to the North Miami City Council. And Galvin said it has never proven an issue until now.

Galvin admitted the vandalism may have had the reverse effect its perpetrator intended, granting further visibility to his historic campaign. He feels he has an "excellent opportunity" to win in the final weeks before the Democratic primary on Aug. 24.

"It has steeled the resolve not only of my supporters I'm in touch with, but it's also been heartening to hear people on the street interviewed on the local TV stations say it is disgusting and that a candidate's sexual orientation should not matter," Galvin, who seeks to succeed outgoing Congressman Kendrick Meek, told EDGE. "It's been a good thing to see from that sense, and that's been my experience as an openly gay councilman for several years now. It's simply not an issue."

The candidate further discussed his campaign.

"There isn't much in Florida's history to hang our hats on when it comes to GLBT victories and we have a long way to go," Galvin added, "but this would be a significant stride forward for that, breaking down a glass ceiling here."

Nadine Smith, executive director of Equality Florida, agreed the incident likely galvanized LGBT Floridians and their supporters.

"This kind of ugly homophobia is something that I think backfires and is a dumb move because it offends the sense of fair play that most people have," she said. "It signals [a candidate] is not ready to run on issues. People are much more offended by that kind of hatefulness than ever before and I don't think the message is resonating."

Smith added the response to the vandalism is particularly important in an election year that could potentially shake up the state's Republican-dominated political landscape and gain crucial victories for LGBT Floridians. She is optimistic the election of LGBT and LGBT-friendly candidates could lead to much-needed progress on elimination the state's gay adoption ban and advancing other issues.

"This kind of boneheadedness reminds the LGBT base how important it is to turn out and vote," added Smith. "In a state that has been dominated by a Republican governor and majorities in the House and Senate, we've made tremendous progress even in the most conservative parts of the state. Electorally, we're reaching a tipping point."

Still, in other parts of both the state and country, anti-LGBT attacks against gay and lesbian candidates continue to occur, sometimes hindering otherwise well-qualified public servants. While recent examples-Gainesville [Fla.] Mayor Craig Lowe and Houston Mayor Annise Parker-have been able to overcome last-minute, anonymous anti-LGBT smear campaigns. Others, however, have not been so lucky.

The first openly LGBT statewide elected official in Oklahoma, Corporate Commission head Jim Roth, lost a close race to Dana Murphy in 2008 after a robo-call claimed he would "advance the homosexual agenda".

As EDGE reported in February, Lowe faced a last-minute flyer campaign that claimed he was "responsible for legally allowing men into women's restrooms!" This tactic may have contributed to a much narrower margin of victory-40 votes-than expected for the popular former Gainesville City Commissioner.

Denis Dison, spokesman for the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, said anti-LGBT smear campaigns like those that derailed Roth's re-election are still relatively common in many parts of the country. And it was hard to generalize a successful, neutralizing candidate response.

That said, however, he feels most voters tend to react negatively to any candidates' attempt to make a political race about anything other than the issues at hand, sexual orientation included. And this trend is good news for the record number-currently at 147-of Victory Fund-endorsed openly LGBT candidates running in a variety of races across the country this year.

"There are some cases where a candidate can use an attack to rally supporters in terms of fundraisers and gaining volunteers, but there are other situations where we advise a candidate to pivot back to their message," Dison said. "If somebody wants to talk about your sexual orientation, they're up to some mischief. But if a candidate can remain disciplined and stay on message regarding their policies, voters respond positively to that, even in the red states where it might be more difficult."