Edinburgh's Lord Provost says he would never have got role during his early councillor days as gay man
| Published date | 21 June 2022 |
| Author | Donald Turvill |
| Publication title | EdinburghLive (Scotland) |
The 66-year-old said: "I don't think it would have happened in the days of back to basics and all that."
But almost 40 years on, following a seismic shift in attitudes towards the LGBT community, he said being attracted to the same sex "just isn't an issue any more."
He pointed out his election as Lord Provost "proves anybody can be their best person, regardless of their background."
He said: "And I hope that if there are young people who are at school at the moment who are worried about their sexuality that they just are able to be themselves and be confident and get on with life.
"Try and be confident, certainly my family was hugely supportive and I know some people have more difficulties with their family but talk to people, your real friends will support you and it really is a great relief when you are authentic about who you really are."
Mr Aldridge said it's "not a gay crusade by me or anything like that", adding: "It's just a part of who I am."
Nominations to be the capital's new figurehead from all five parties are testament to his decades of experience working cross-party in the council and as a local champion in his ward Drum Brae/Gyle - which has undergone a succession of name and boundary changes since he was first elected there in 1984, known then as Park Grove.
When asked if donning the chain had been a long time ambition, he replied: "I suppose everybody hopes in the back of their mind that they might actually get the enormous privilege of being the Lord Provost.
"It wasn't something I had planned for, it was just really overwhelming that people put that trust in me - I just hope I can live up to it."
Aldridge was confirmed as Edinburgh's 258th Lord Provost at the first full council meeting following the local elections last month.
Simultaneously stepping down from his role as leader of the Liberal Democrat group, Councillor Kevin Lang was named as his successor.
Addressing members in the chamber for the first time, he spoke of the privilege he felt to be chosen as the new civic head of "the best capital city in the world."
He also paid tribute to his predecessor, SNP councillor Frank Ross, for 'presiding over this chamber with both good humour and quiet authority'.
"I could barely speak I was so overwhelmed," the Provost...
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