Mayor sets up UK's first city-region LGBT Adviser and Panel

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham has set up a panel of experts to tackle the inequalities lesbian, gay, bi and trans people face, and ensure they feel included, valued and safe.

The panel will reflect the diversity of the LGBT community from across Greater Manchester and will be headed by a new LGBT Adviser. Former Lord Mayor of Manchester and prominent LGBT activist Carl Austin-Behan has been appointed as the Adviser.

It’s the first time something like this has been done in Greater Manchester – and thought to be the first panel of its type in the UK. They will collaborate with partner agencies, LGBT organisations and individuals across the city-region to deliver the Greater Manchester LGBT Action Plan, developed by LGBT Foundation and launched by Andy launched last year.

Other panel members include: Colette McKune, deputy chief executive of leading housing and social purpose organisation ForViva; Paul Martin, chief executive of LGBT Foundation, one of the UK’s leading LGBT charities; Trans civil rights campaigner Christine Burns MBE; Juergen Maier, chief executive of Siemens UK; Director of Pride Sports and Football v Homophobia Lou Englefield; Wigan and Leigh Green Party chair Will Patterson; and a range of other LGBT activists and figures from across Greater Manchester.

Andy Burnham said: “Greater Manchester is known throughout the UK and around the world as a beacon for LGBT people. Let’s not forget that the UK’s LGBT rights movement began in Manchester, and LGBT people make a huge contribution to the success of our city-region.

“This is something we should celebrate and cherish, which is why having a new LGBT Adviser and panel is so important. LGBT rights were hard-fought and won, but it is still the case that LGBT people face inequality. We must continue to break down those barriers and build a Greater Manchester that is for all.

“There is such great work going on here already, from the numerous Pride events that take place across the Greater Manchester, to the remarkable Village Angels and Haven programme which helps ensure people have a great night out in our thriving and world-famous Gay Village.

“Last year I signed up to the LGBT Action Plan for Greater Manchester, which commits public bodies, private organisations, voluntary groups and LGBT citizens to work together to improve LGBT lives and this demonstrates my commitment to this shared goal.”

Carl Austin-Behan added: “There are at least 215,000 lesbian, gay, bi and trans people in Greater Manchester – that’s bigger than the population of Rochdale so it is important that they are represented and their voices are heard.

“By setting up this panel, the Mayor is demonstrating a clear and unambiguous commitment to improving the lives of LGBT people and reducing inequality across the city-region. The panel and I are looking forward to getting to work.”

Greater Manchester Equalities Lead, and Tameside Council Leader Councillor Brenda Warrington said: “Working with the LGBT community in Greater Manchester is an integral part of the equalities portfolio that Mayor Andy Burnham has asked me to undertake.

“There is a tremendous energy and pride within the LGBT community across the whole of Greater Manchester which the current season of Pride events demonstrates brilliantly.

“I look forward to working with the LGBT Adviser and Panel and fully intend to help tackle the inequalities that still exist for a significant number of Greater Manchester people.”

Carl and the panel will support the Mayor through: engaging the LGBT community in delivering the ambitions of the Greater Manchester Strategy; ensuring that the city-region has strong and diverse leadership; monitoring the sexual orientation and the trans status of service users and staff; ensuring all providers of public services commit to using evidence into the needs and experiences of all LGBT people when designing, commissioning and reviewing services; and improving LGBT awareness.

In particular, this will include the commitments made by the Mayor to back the LGBT community by:

• Supporting and attending events such as Pride and Sparkle, and encouraging Pride events in all borough and towns across Greater Manchester;
• Working with the NHS to tackle health inequalities and improve awareness of LGBT issues; 
• Tackling domestic abuse in the LGBT community and the barriers that exist around reporting;
• Supporting councils to create LGBT-friendly retirement homes and combat loneliness;
• Committing to continue funding for Village Angels - a project helping to keep people safe in the Village.

The panel members are:

• Paul Martin OBE – CEO, LGBT Foundation
• Christine Burns MBE – Trans Civil Rights Campaigner
• Juergen Maier – CEO, Siemens UK
• Colette McKune MBE – Deputy Group Chief Executive ForViva
• Helen Darby - Research Impact and Public Engagement Manager, MMU
• Will Patterson – Chair of Wigan & Leigh Green Party and Green Party Mayoral Candidate
• Chloe Cousins – Youth Engagement Officer, Proud Trust
• Jane Owen BEM – Former trustee of Sparkle, works for Network Rail
• Raf Young – Queer Disabled Activist
• Pierrette Squires – Chair Bolton LGBT Partnership
• Lou Englefield – Director of Pride Sports and Football v Homophobia
• Jax Effiong - GMFRS Community Safety Manager and LGBT role model
• Tara Kelly – Former Chair of HouseProud NW, works for Equity Housing
• Mark Fletcher - CEO of Manchester Pride
• Annie Emery - Director of Services, Albert Kennedy Trust

The UK’s LGBT civil rights movement began in Church House in Manchester in 1964 when a group of activists met to form what would become the Campaign for Homosexual Equality. The event is marked with a plaque at Church House on Deansgate.

The LGBT Action Plan was developed and published by LGBT Foundation last year and was launched by Andy at an event in Manchester. More information: www.lgbt.foundation