Carl Austin-Behan

he/him Contact Patron

Carl is a former Board Member and President of Contact. He was a Labour Councillor for Burnage from 2011-2018 and became Manchester’s first openly gay Lord Mayor and one of its youngest at age 44 in 2016. He served as LGBT adviser to the Mayor of Greater Manchester from 2018 – 2022 and became Greater Manchester LGBTQ+ Community Ambassador for the LGBT Foundation in 2022. Other roles include Trustee of Fighting with Pride, Ambassador for The Proud Trust and George House Trust, Co-Chair of Pro-Manchester Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity Network, and Deputy Lieutenant for Greater Manchester. He was awarded an OBE in the 2020 New Year’s Honours List for services to charity, LGBTQ+ equality and the community in Greater Manchester.

“There is so much young talent in the North West and I’m proud to support Contact as a place that celebrates and represents the identities and diversity across the whole cultural spectrum, creating opportunities for everyone.”

Related items

  1. a young black man with short hair and a black tshirt sits in front of music production equipment laughing

    Creatively Minded Men

    5 Nov - 26 Aug
    After the success of our Creatively Minded Men project this year, we are welcoming a new cohort of young men from November 2025.This project is for people who identify as a man, aged 18-30, who have experienced mental health problems and…

    Workshop

    InfoBook now

  2. What Matters To Us, in Oxford Road Corridor's Zine- Autumn Edition

    20 November 2025
    Did you spot us on the front page of Oxford Road Corridor’s latest zine? The piece by our CEO, Jack-Dale Dowd, looks at why the work Contact does matters to young people, our audiences and the wider Manchester community. On the 13th…

  3. The Tour of the Era's - A Spectacular Tribute to Taylor Swift

    Experience the ultimate celebration of Taylor Swift’s music in The Tour of the Era's, a breathtaking tribute starring the incredible Hannah Jenkins. Backed by a sensational four-piece live band and dynamic dancers, this electrifying…
    InfoBook now