Leeds Appoints Its First Openly Gay Lord Mayor

Leeds City Council has appointed Stephen Holroyd as the new Lord Mayor. He has become the 132nd Lord Mayor and the first openly gay person to hold this position in the city’s history. His partner, Simon Mapals, has received the official status of the Lord Mayor’s Consort.

The position of the Lord Mayor of Leeds is ceremonial and politically neutral. The Mayor’s duties include chairing City Council meetings, representing Leeds at civic events, and receiving high-ranking guests. Holroyd’s appointment coincides with the 400th anniversary of Leeds receiving its Royal Charter, which is being celebrated in 2026.

Stephen Holroyd was born in Wakefield and moved to Leeds in 2014. Before entering local government, he worked in the hospitality and financial sectors. In 2023, Holroyd was elected to the City Council representing the Ardsley and Robin Hood ward.

In his speech following the appointment, Holroyd noted the multiculturalism of Leeds and spoke about his childhood struggles with dyslexia: “Growing up, our parents always taught us that we could do anything we set our minds to. Sometimes, due to my dyslexia, it didn’t feel like that, but here I am today as the Lord Mayor of Leeds.”

The Lord Mayor’s Consort, Simon Mapals, was born in Leeds and manages a venue for the LGBT community in the city center. He stated that it is a great honor to support Stephen during the upcoming year.

During his mayoral year, the new Lord Mayor will support two charities: the LGBT organization Yorkshire MESMAC and St Gemma’s Hospice.

Holroyd succeeds the outgoing Lord Mayor, Dan Cohen.