Anti-LGBTQ+ Republican resigns after arrest on child sexual abuse material charges

An anti-LGBTQ+ South Carolina Republican who backed drag and trans healthcare bans to “protect childhood innocence” has resigned from his seat after he was arrested and charged with distributing images of child sexual abuse.

Robert John ‘RJ’ May III – known as RJ May – was a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives for the state’s 88th district and is former South Carolina House Freedom Caucus strategist.

The 38-year-old was arrested and charged in June with 10 counts of distributing sexual abuse material involving children.

“I have decided it is in the best interest of my family and constituents to resign immediately from the South Carolina House of Representatives,” May wrote in his resignation letter which was released on Monday (11 August).

The letter was addressed to House Speaker Murrell Smith and in it May concludes “it has been an honour to serve the people of District 88”.

In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Smith confirmed the letter had been received, writing: “Earlier today, my office confirmed receipt of Mr. May’s resignation from the House, which I have accepted with immediate effect. Our prayers remain with the victims, and we will continue to seek justice and accountability.”

In its own statement shared on social media, the South Carolina Freedom Caucus said May’s resignation is “long overdue”.

“The people of District 88 deserve true and honorable representation,” it reads.

“While we welcome this resignation, we strongly believe that the SC House should have acted to expel RJ May after he was indicted for such heinous crimes.

“Our hearts are with his victims and his innocent family and we pray for swift justice as this ugly chapter in the South Carolina House of Representatives comes to a close.”

Earlier today, my office confirmed receipt of Mr. May’s resignation from the House, which I have accepted with immediate effect. Our prayers remain with the victims, and we will continue to seek justice and accountability.

— schousespeaker (@schousespeaker) August 11, 2025

According to a June press release from the US Attorney’s Office, May faces prison sentence of between five and 20 years, a fine of $250,000 (£184,338) and at least five years of supervised release following jail.

May was denied bail because, as per reporting by the Associated Press, he lives at home with his wife and young children and so is being held at the Edgefield County jail until the start of his trial.

After being elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives in 2020, May had no qualms about sharing his anti-LGBTQ+ views on topics including gender-affirming care, trans inclusion in sports and drag performances. Many of his concerns being cited in regards to child safety.

In 2023, May was quoted by WIS10 as saying a bill banning gender affirming care for trans youngsters is about “protecting childhood innocence”.

“This is about preventing children from going through life-altering surgeries. As a state, we say that they can’t make a decision on a tattoo, they can’t make a decision on purchasing alcohol, they can’t make a decision on voting, yet we’re going to allow them to have permanent, life-altering surgery,” he said.

In the same article, May supported a bill which would classify any business allowing under 18s to view a drag show as committing the offence of “disseminating harmful materials to minors.”

“If you’d like to go to a drag show as an adult that’s your prerogative, it’s not my cup of tea, but children should not attend drag shows,” May said. “Children should not attend any sort of adult entertainment where folks have sexualized agendas. That’s just beyond the pale.”

In January 2024, when discussing gender-affirming care for minors on the House floor during a debate, May said: “We as legislators have an obligation to insure that our children have no harm done to them,”

In 2022, he was listed as a speaker at Mom’s for Liberty’s Reclaiming Education in America event.

Mom’s for Liberty are defined as an anti-LGBTQ+ hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center and oppose inclusive and diverse content in the school curriculum and claim such material is “indoctrinating” and “grooming” children to be LGBTQ+.