A university graduate has become Britain’s first openly non-binary city mayor – and they said it was a huge honour.
Owen J Hurcum is also believed to the world’s first non-binary person elected for the role, after winning by an overwhelming majority.
In addition, Mayor Hurcum is the youngest ever mayor for Bangor, Wales, too.
They said they felt ’privileged’ to have been given the top job, and hoped the role would allow them to improve the city and bring communities together.
"I came here as a student five years ago, just because it was a place to study and it looked quite nice. Within a week, I fell in love with it and tried to throw myself into the city's culture,” Mayor Hurcum told North Wales Live.
"The city means a lot to me and I feel so privileged that I have been entrusted to represent my community on a national and international stage.
"Bangor has a lot to offer and I hope I can do a good job of showing and embracing that."
The graduate is originally from Harrow, London, but moved to north Wales to study at Bangor University.
But Owen always had a keen interest in politics, and was involved in numerous protests and rallies in the area, including a protest against Boris Johnson's move to prorogue parliament in August of last year.
Posting a picture of themselves wearing a sheer black blouse and traditional mayoral chains and ruffles with a tricorne hat on Twitter this week, the new mayor stated: ‘When I came out two years ago I was so worried I’d be ostracised by my community or worse.
‘Today my community elected me mayor of our great city. The youngest ever mayor in Wales.
‘The first ever openly non-binary mayor of any city anywhere. Beyond humbled, Diolch Bangor.’
Owen defines as genderqueer or agender and had already been a councillor for four years and a deputy mayor and chair of the committee for the council and other sub-groups for a year before being awarded the mayorship.
They said they were determined to fight for better representation of non-binary people, adding: “I know representation is not just putting on the chain and I’ll be judged by what we do as a team for Bangor during my year in office, but still, I’m glad my election has resonated with so many.”
While Owen agreed the mayor’s role was stereotypically seen as attracting "old grey men", a love of politics and existing experience meant they were already breaking down barriers.
"I've always been into politics, but it definitely intensified when I came to university," Owen added.
"Politics, ethics and community are all connected, but politics affects everything and decides everything within a community.
"I hope I can offer fresh ideas and deliver them through a new way, which will essentially be good for Bangor."
