Carl Austin-Behan served in the British Royal Air Force from 1991 until 1997, when he was discharged for being openly gay.

Lauded with honours for services to his country, including a medal for bravery, nonetheless he was ejected from the RAF – simply for choosing not to hide who he was.

Carl went on to win Mr Gay UK pageants, elections in local government, and the title of Lord Mayor of Manchester (the first to be openly gay).

We discuss music by Gloria Gaynor, Erasure, and Bronski Beat.

Carl currently works as a Community Ambassador for the LGBT Foundation. Read about their work here, and follow Carl online here.

Listen to all previous guest choices in one handy Spotify playlist, Selections from Tracks of Our Queers and follow the pod on Instagram.

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