World's first non-binary mayor Owen J Hurcum to step down to build home on boat

The Mayor, who identifies as "genderqueer" or "agender", became city mayor last year, and was the first openly non-binary mayor of any city in the world. Credit: Media Wales

The world's first openly non-binary city mayor is stepping down from the position - to do up a wooden houseboat.

The Mayor of Bangor, Owen Hurcum, has announced they will not stand for re-election at the next council elections, to be held in May this year.

The Mayor, who identifies as "genderqueer" or "agender", became city mayor last year, and was the first openly non-binary mayor of any city in the world, as well as the youngest person in history to hold a mayoral position in Wales.

Originally from Harrow in London, Owen moved to Bangor in 2015 to attend Bangor University and was a candidate for Plaid Cymru in the 2021 Senedd election before withdrawing.

Credit: Owen Hurcum

Owen has now announced they will not stand for re-election, having been given an alternative offer they couldn’t refuse.

On a Twitter thread, Owen said: “With the election period beginning next week for Welsh Local Elections 2022 many people will be announcing their intention to run for election or re-election.

"I wish to take this opportunity to state that I, however, will not be seeking re-election to Bangor City Council.

"This is not a reflection on Bangor City Council, nor my time as a councillor and it certainly isn’t to do with the harassment I have been subjected to (by small but vocal minority) on occasion.

"It is simply because of a change of circumstances in my personal life.

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"After (sadly unsuccessful) attempts to get onto the local property market I have found myself with an alternative offer I simply couldn’t refuse.

"That being to move onto, and do up, a 1940s wooden boat and make it my home."

The Mayor of Bangor, Owen Hurcum, has announced they will not stand for re-election at the next council elections in May this year. Credit: Media Wales

Owen continued: "Whilst it is my full intention to bring this boat up to Bangor and live on it up here, due to the work needed on it – and it’s current location around Norfolk – it might be upwards of a year before I can do that.

"It is my feeling that it would be wrong for me to campaign to be a local representative when I know I will be away from Bangor for such a length of time at the start of the next term.

"I look forward immensely to completing the rest of this term here in Bangor.

"I hope also one day I might be so humbled to once again serve my community here, but it won’t be during this next council term."