Who am I?
Michael Aycox is a thirty-four-year-old Mississippian that ran for United States Congress (MS-03) in 2018. His crusade was centered on equality, opportunity, and moving Mississippi forward. Michael’s campaign team made history, as he was the first openly gay man to run for a federal seat in his state’s history. Throughout Michael’s life he has been exposed to different cultures, experiences, and beliefs. Michael believes that the words “all men are created equal” have never been more important than they are today.
Michael served with the Newton Police Department as a Police Officer, Investigator, Administrative Director from 2008-2020. While, in the United States Navy he served as an Anti-Terrorism Specialist until he was diagnosed with cancer. This diagnosis would remove him from his Anti-Terrorism role and placed him on the support staff of the Command Triad. Michael possesses Bachelors in American History with a concentration in Warfare and Strategy a Master’s in Strategic Communication and a Masters in Public Administration & Human Resource Management (MPA.)
During his tenure in the United States Navy, Michael was an active member of the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) Program, fulfilling the role of Coordinator and Command Liaison for duration of time. Michael was recognized by (then) Rear Admiral Jackson, Commander Navy Region Southeast, for his innovation and leadership while stationed at Naval Station Mayport. Michael’s investigative background provided essential support for the program and the implementation of new policies regarding Military Sexual Assault Trauma. Also, while stationed at Naval Station Mayport, Michael was instrumental in the implementation of Transgender Integration Training for the command and assisted in the writing of “by laws” for station GLASS (Gay Lesbian and Supporting Sailors) Chapter.
Since his loss in the Democratic primary Michael has not given up the fight for equality. In June 2018, he founded the non-profit equality organization “One Mississippi.” With the hate rhetoric looming out of Jackson, in the form of HB1523, and Washington, in the form of Twitter, Michael realized that there is no time like the present. “It is time for our generation to take a stand, to rid ourselves of hate, bigotry, racism, homophobia, and take our communities, our state, and our nation into the 21st Century.”
