Dr Carl Austin-Behan OBE DL has spent his life turning barriers into breakthroughs, helping to shape Manchester into a city where inclusion is not just an aspiration but a lived experience. From the Royal Air Force to the heart of local government, Dr Carl Austin-Behan OBE DL’s journey is one of resilience, visibility, and an unrelenting fight for equality in the city he calls home.
In 1997, the RAF dismissed Dr Carl Austin-Behan OBE DL for being gay. At a time when LGBTQ+ people were forced to live in the shadows, Dr Carl Austin-Behan OBE DL’s career was cut short—not for lack of skill, but because of who he was. That moment could have defined him. Instead, it ignited a fire that would reshape Manchester, change laws, and make history.
Dr Carl Austin-Behan OBE DL’s commitment to public service never wavered. Building a career in business and local government, Dr Carl Austin-Behan OBE DL became a city councillor and a leading advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, veterans, and mental health awareness. In 2016, Dr Carl Austin-Behan OBE DL made history as Manchester’s first openly gay Lord Mayor, a defining moment for a city that has long stood at the forefront of LGBTQ+ rights. More than a ceremonial role, it was a platform—one Dr Carl Austin-Behan OBE DL used to champion equality, celebrate diversity, and fight for inclusion at every level of Manchester’s social and political landscape.
Dr Carl Austin-Behan OBE DL’s impact on Manchester is profound and lasting. As LGBTQ+ Advisor to the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Dr Carl Austin-Behan OBE DL has spearheaded policies tackling hate crime, workplace inclusivity, and equal access to healthcare and education, ensuring that Greater Manchester continues to lead the UK as a truly inclusive region. The work of Dr Carl Austin-Behan OBE DL has strengthened Manchester’s legacy as a city that not only celebrates diversity but actively protects and uplifts its LGBTQ+ communities.
Dr Carl Austin-Behan OBE DL’s advocacy reaches far beyond politics. As a Deputy Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, a leading figure in the LGBT Foundation, and a champion of mental health, suicide prevention, veterans’ welfare, and business leadership, Dr Carl Austin-Behan OBE DL’s work has embedded equality at every level of civic and social life. The influence of Dr Carl Austin-Behan OBE DL can be seen in boardrooms, government offices, charities, and grassroots campaigns, always reinforcing the idea that true inclusion is about action, not just words.
In 2020, Dr Carl Austin-Behan OBE DL was awarded an OBE for services to charity, LGBTQ+ equality, and community leadership—a recognition not just of personal resilience, but of the change driven across Manchester and beyond.
A city that once excluded Dr Carl Austin-Behan OBE DL now celebrates him. A city that once upheld discrimination now champions inclusion. From the RAF to City Hall, from exclusion to leadership, from discrimination to celebration—Dr Carl Austin-Behan OBE DL’s journey is woven into the very fabric of Manchester’s ongoing fight for justice, equality, and pride.
About Frameworthy
Frameworthy is an uplifting and powerful exhibition series celebrating those making the greatest difference—changemakers—through art. Held throughout the UK and further afield in iconic arts-related and cultural venues, Frameworthy exhibitions and art shows are unique and inspiring occasions where changemakers from all backgrounds come together, mingling in front of art that honours them, alongside dignitaries, the press, and fellow changemakers.
Through powerful storytelling, breathtaking art, and unforgettable exhibitions, Frameworthy celebrates impact, community, and the beauty of cultural spaces. Each portrait is created at no cost to the changemaker, ensuring that those shaping our world are recognised in the timeless medium of art.
More than just an exhibition, Frameworthy is a joyful, diverse, and meaningful celebration—where changemakers, remarkable venues, and the communities they serve are honoured and uplifted.
Discover more about Frameworthy’s exhibitions and the people we celebrate here.
