Vance’s Baseless Comments on HIV and Haitian Immigrants Spark Outrage
GLAAD, the largest LGBTQ media advocacy organization, has responded to comments made by U.S. Senator JD Vance about Haitian immigrants during a recent interview on CNN. Vance claimed that Haitian immigrants were responsible for a rise in HIV and tuberculosis in Springfield, Ohio—an assertion public health officials say is unfounded.
Vance’s remarks come amid a broader misinformation campaign targeting the Haitian community, which former President Donald Trump has also amplified. During a September 10 presidential debate, Trump made baseless claims about immigrants, saying, “They’re eating the dogs, the people that came in, they’re eating the cats.” Local officials, including Springfield’s city manager and police department, have refuted these statements, citing no evidence to support such claims.
Springfield City Manager Bryan Heck expressed disappointment over the spread of disinformation, saying, “It is disappointing that some of the narrative surrounding our city has been skewed by misinformation circulating on social media and further amplified by political rhetoric in the current highly charged election cycle.”
Following these developments, several Springfield schools were evacuated on September 13 due to bomb threats, though it’s unclear whether the threats were connected to the comments made by Vance or the debate.
GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis condemned Vance’s remarks, stating, “JD Vance’s inflammatory comments about HIV triple down on his truly revolting lies about this community and threaten public health in the most irresponsible way.” Ellis emphasized the importance of science-based information, pointing out that HIV is preventable and manageable with proper treatment.
GLAAD also highlighted findings from its 5th Annual State of HIV Stigma Report, released in September 2024, which tracks Americans’ attitudes toward HIV. The report noted a decrease in HIV stigma, though it also found significant gaps in knowledge, particularly among younger generations.
The report also noted a troubling decline in media representation of people living with HIV, which GLAAD argues is crucial for combating stigma and increasing awareness.
Key Findings from GLAAD’s HIV Stigma Report:
- A reduction in the belief that HIV stigma exists, from 89% in 2020 to 85% in 2024.
- Knowledge of HIV has remained stable, with nearly 90% of Americans reporting some understanding of the virus.
- Gen Z adults remain the least knowledgeable about HIV, with only 37% feeling informed.
- A decline in the belief that people with HIV can live long, healthy lives, particularly in the Southern U.S.
