Passionately active in the community and proud to represent the residents, Carl sat on the Neighbourhood Scrutiny Committee and was a member of the Licensing Panel, as well as Lead Member for Gay Men and Lead Member for Cycling. In 2016 he was elected to the office of Lord Mayor of Manchester: the youngest in the city’s history, and the first openly gay Lord Mayor.ĭuring his time in office, Carl raised public awareness and promoted the diversity, contribution and achievements of LGBTQ+ individuals to the community, as well as highlighting issues faced by individuals. He moved to Burnage and in 2011 was elected Labour Member for Burnage Ward. Living back in Manchester City Centre, Carl developed an interest in politics, seeing a route to making a difference and inciting change. In 2001, he also entered and won a national competition, Mr Gay UK. Moving back to Manchester he joined Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service in 1998 before setting up a promotions company and then a specialist cleaning company with a business partner. This was a defining moment, since then Carl has dedicated himself to actively engaging diverse LGBTQ+ communities to ensure that all voices are heard and amplified. In 1997 Carl was dismissed from the RAF, as it was deemed that his homosexuality was ‘incompatible with service life’. He was mentioned in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in 1996, with a Commander in Chief’s commendation. His postings included the UK, Belize and Ascension Island.ĭuring active service Carl received a number of awards and recognition for his bravery, including the RAF Safety Centre’s Good Show Award, and the Royal Humane Society’s award for rescuing a pilot from a burning Hawk Aircraft.
![mr clean burning the gay flag mr clean burning the gay flag](https://i.pinimg.com/236x/82/1f/3b/821f3beda93daf63e208b03586484960--random-things-funny-things.jpg)
On leaving school he worked in various retail roles before joining the Royal Airforce as a firefighter aged 19. Carl Austin-Behan was born and raised in Crumpsall Manchester.