rights
Remember when a GOP lawmaker said trans people “harm” kids & was busted for child porn?
By Daniel Villarreal at LGBTQ Nation
· June 1, 2026
· 1 min read
South Carolina state Rep. RJ May (R) — an anti-LGBTQ+ politician who has accused drag queens and transgender people of harming kids — was sentenced to 17.5 years in federal prison on Wednesday after pleading guilty to five counts of distributing child sex abuse material (CSAM). May — who was honored
Key takeaway RJ May (R) — an anti-LGBTQ+ politician who has accused drag queens and transgender people of harming kids — was sentenced to 17.
Why this matters
The sentencing of South Carolina state Rep. RJ May to 17.5 years in federal prison for distributing child sex abuse material highlights the stark disconnect between his public stance on LGBTQ+ issues and his private actions. As a vocal critic of drag queens and transgender people, May claimed they posed a threat to children, while he himself was engaging in heinous activities that exploited and harmed minors. This case underscores the need for scrutiny of politicians who use LGBTQ+ communities as a scapegoat for their own political gain. The fact that May was honored by the anti-LGBTQ+ group Moms for Liberty as its Legislator of the Year in 2023 raises questions about the values and priorities of such organizations. As the LGBTQ+ community continues to face discrimination and marginalization, it is crucial to hold accountable those who perpetuate harm and hypocrisy, and to support organizations like the Trevor Project and the National LGBTQ Task Force that work to protect and empower LGBTQ+ individuals.
About this story
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Category: rights ·
Published: June 1, 2026 ·
Source: LGBTQ Nation ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? South Carolina state Rep. RJ May (R) — an anti-LGBTQ+ politician who has accused drag queens and transgender people of harming kids — was sentenced to 17.5 years in federal prison on Wednesday after pleading guilty to five counts of distributing child sex abuse material (CSAM). May — who was honored
When was this published? This article was first published on June 1, 2026 by LGBTQ Nation and curated for LGBTQ News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Daniel Villarreal at LGBTQ Nation. To learn more about how LGBTQ News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more rights coverage from LGBTQ News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .