The first open LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) candidate to run for elected office in Johnston County has announced their bid for a seat on the Board of Commissioners.
Reverend Dr. Wendy Ella May of the Micro community told WTSB News on Wednesday she plans to file for the District 2 seat before the filing deadline of December 21st.
May says she has a long history of public service as a volunteer on local, county, state and national organizations.
A disabled US Army veteran and a member of the Disabled American Veterans, May is the retired founding priest of the Bradley Beach Community Church in New Jersey, founding director of M.E.N.D. 4 Male Survivors of Military Sexual Assault, and the retired President of the US New Methodist Episcopal Orthodox Religious Order and Churches.
May has also founded the MEND I AM Program and the Transformation Veterans Retreat Center in Selma. She is a member of the LGBT Democrats of North Carolina, Democratic Women of North Carolina, and Democratic Women of Johnston County.
On her website, May says, ” I strongly believe that if you are not sitting on the table you will be on the menu.”
“For the past three decades, as a grassroots community organizer and an activist on local and national level, I have a strong progressive record of working and advocating for social justice, civil liberties, universal and affordable healthcare, equality, immigration reform, workers’ rights, quality affordable education, economic justice, and promoting local and global justice and peace,” May said.
Rev. Dr. May will challenge incumbent County Commissioner Ted Godwin of Selma, a retired banker, who filed for his second 4 year-term representing District 2 on Tuesday. Contributed photos
