Luton’s first openly LGBTQ+ mayor has been officially appointed and has promised to use her term in office to champion inclusion and stand up for all marginalised communities in the town that continue to face discrimination and exclusion.
Councillor Amy Nicholls was named the new mayor in May and has already delivered a powerful speech as part of this month’s Pride in Luton event to emphasise her aims for her time in the role.
But last night, the Northwell councillor and her new deputy mayor, Cllr Shahanara Naser, were officially appointed in a ceremony held in Luton Council’s chamber.
At the age of 30, the new mayor is the youngest first citizen the town has ever had. She has served as a councillor since 2018, and describes the role as a unique opportunity to give back to the town she calls home.
Cllr Nicholls said: “To represent Luton as mayor is both a privilege and an honour. We are one of the youngest and most diverse towns in the UK, with 36 per cent of residents under the age of 25. That youthful energy and rich diversity are some of our greatest strengths. Yet, there are communities in Luton who still sadly face exclusion and hate.
“As mayor, I will proudly use my platform to give voice to those often overlooked and to build upon our ‘Luton: No Place for Hate’ campaign – working to ensure that every resident feels safe, valued and heard.”
In line with her commitment to public service, the mayor has chosen to support three local charities during her term in office; Luton, South Beds and Harpenden Samaritans, Luton Community First Responders, and the Bedfordshire branch of the Fire Fighters Charity.
Deputy mayor, Cllr Shahanara Naser, has called Luton home for over a decade. With a background in public health, social care, and community development, she brings extensive experience from her work in the NHS and over 20 years as a professional interpreter in the public sector.
Beyond her professional work, the deputy mayor is a proud mother of three children and spends a significant part of her spare time volunteering across a range of local community centres, schools and cultural organisations.
A passionate advocate for mental health and wellbeing, Cllr Naser is committed to working alongside the mayor to serve all Lutonians “with integrity and compassion, no matter what their background” and to help deliver Luton’s 2040 vision of a healthy, fair and sustainable town.
