LABOUR'S Martin McCluskey has spoken out on becoming his council's first openly gay councillor - and hopes that he can inspire other LGBT people to follow his lead.
The Gourock councillor says that Inverclyde's late MP David Cairns played a "crucial role" in helping him believe he could pursue a career in politics.
Cairns, who was the first out gay MP from Scotland, was a patron of LGBT Labour and Chair of the All Parliamentary Group on HIV and AIDS.
McCluskey said that Cairns, who tragically passed away in 2011 after developing acute pancreatitis, was an source of inspiration to him as a young man.
He said: "As an LGBT councillor, I think I'm in a fairly small group across the country and it's important to show people that this type of career in the public eye is something they can do.
"My first experience of politics in Inverclyde was meeting David Cairns.
"David was a really important mentor for me and was himself a committed LGBT politician.
"At the point when I first met David, I was around 16 and trying to figure things out. Seeing a gay man in public life doing such a big job - and doing it so well and being so well respected for it - had a big impact and influence on me.
"It helped me understand that politics was something I was capable of doing, that it wasn't a door that was shut to me because of my sexuality.
"Maybe it's something I should be highlighting more so that LGBT kids will realise that there are people just like them in these roles. taking these positions of responsibility in public life.
"I can honestly say that if I hadn't met David and his partner Dermott Kehoe I don't know if I would have had the confidence to go down this route.
"Of course I've encountered hostility in the past, but in the Inverclyde community I don't think my the fact that I'm gay is something people even bat and eyelid about anymore.
"It is important to have diverse voices and LGBT representation on the council - and in all parts of life."
The newly-elected councillor says he welcomes growing diversity on the council, but says that there is "still work to be done".
He said that increasing the number of LGBT, female and BAME councillors will ensure that the local authority is more representative of Inverclyde's community.
Council leader Stephen McCabe today echoed McCluskey's words, and says that last month's results at the polls was a 'step forward' for the area.
He added: "It's important that the council is as fully representative of the community it serves.
"If you look at the results, we've got more women and a younger average age on the council this time around, which is another positive.
"I welcome Martin being open about his sexuality, he can be a role model and show that politics is open to everyone.
"We've seen lots of advances at the Scottish Government and UK Government level and it's great to see that finally also reflected at a local level."
