Northern Ireland Gets First Openly Gay Mayor

Northern Ireland Gets First Openly Gay Mayor

Alliance Party councillor Andrew Muir has become Northern Ireland’s first openly gay elected mayor. The North Down Borough Council member is from the borough and has been on the council since 2010.

Following his election, Councillor Muir said he is taking the office under the theme ‘Working as one. He said: “As Mayor of North Down I am determined to realise the momentous opportunities ahead and celebrate the diverse range of work taking place across the Borough towards one shared vision of an integrated, peaceful, prosperous, active clean and green society.”
Mr Muir told UTV News.

“My sexuality hasn’t been an issue for me nor for my electorate nor my constituents since I became a councillor in 2010 and it won’t be a defining issue for me as mayor because the challenge as mayor is to reach out and represent everyone across our society – people of different faiths and backgrounds.