Dr Carl Austin-Behan OBE DL is the former LGBT Advisor to the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham. Currently Greater Manchester’s LGBTQ+ Community Ambassador, working with LGBTQ+ charities and organisations, visiting schools, youth groups and workplaces to promote diversity, equity, inclusion and respect as well as working on projects with Community Action, Public Sector Liaison and LGBTQ+ Networks across GM.
Carl served in The Royal Air Force from 1991 and unfortunately discharged in 1997. He received The Royal Humane Society Bronze Award for Bravery for rescuing a pilot from a burning Hawk Aircraft which crashed on the runway at RAF Chivenor in 1992, received a mention in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in 1996 with a Commander in Chief’s Commendation and although having an exemplary service record, it was deemed that his sexuality was “incompatible to service life” as it was still illegal to serve in The UK Armed Forces for being gay. He joined Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service in 1998 and left 1999, then went on to win Mr Gay UK 2001.
Having served on Manchester City Council representing Burnage from 2011 – 2018, Carl was the first openly gay Lord Mayor of Manchester 2016 – 2017. Also owns his own Cleaning Company VA Clean – working with Property Management Companies specialising in the communal areas of apartment blocks.
Carl has devoted himself to LGBTQ+ advocacy. Ambassador for The Proud Trust, George House Trust, Broughton House; Patron of Contact Theatre, Manchester Proud chorus; Chair of Pro-Manchester EDI Network, City of Trees Trust. Trustee of Forever Manchester. He was also a founder member for Fighting with Pride (LGBT veterans charity run by veterans. The first and only lived-experience charity addressing the health and wellbeing of LGBT+ veterans.) he passionately promotes diversity, equity and inclusion within our communities.
In November 2019 Carl was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of Greater Manchester and was awarded an OBE in the 2020 Queens New Year’s Honours List for services to Charity and the LGBTQ+ Community.