Leeds gets its first out gay Lord Mayor and Consort as couple make history
Councillor Stephen Holroyd is Mayor of Leeds with his partner Simon Mapals the Consort (Leeds City Council)
Leeds has appointed its first openly gay Lord Mayor and Lord Mayor’s Consort in a historic milestone for the city.
Councillor Stephen Holroyd was confirmed as the 132nd Lord Mayor of Leeds on Wednesday, with his partner Simon Mapals serving as Lord Mayor’s Consort for the 2026/27 civic year.
The appointment comes during the 400th anniversary year of Leeds receiving its royal charter.
Born and raised in Wakefield before moving to Leeds in 2014, Cllr Holroyd was elected to represent the Ardsley and Robin Hood ward in 2023.
Before entering local government, he worked in hospitality and financial services, and also serves as a governor at Thorpe Primary School.
“I’m honoured to become the 132nd Lord Mayor of Leeds,” Cllr Holroyd said. “Leeds is an incredibly diverse city, and I’m looking forward to getting out into our communities and meeting as many people as possible, making new friends and drawing people together through celebrating our differences while embracing what binds us together.”
Simon Mapals, who was born and raised in Leeds and manages an established LGBTQ+ venue in the city centre, said: “I’m very honoured to become the Lord Mayor’s Consort and to support Stephen in his mayoral duties. I really look forward to meeting the incredible and diverse communities of our city.”
The incoming Lord Mayor has selected Yorkshire MESMAC and St Gemma’s Hospice as his charities for the year.
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