Pop icon Dannii Minogue, national treasure Sir Stephen Fry, Olympic legend Dame Kelly Holmes, comedian Tom Allen, RuPaul’s Drag Race winner Danny Beard, television favourite Denise Welch, and Heartstopper actor Kizzy Edgell are among 30 LGBTQ+ celebrities and high-profile allies teaming up with Manchester LGBTQ+ youth charity The Proud Trust for its #DeserveBetter campaign.
Manchester LGBTQ+ youth charity The Proud Trust is continuing its #DeserveBetter campaign with a new celebrity film bringing together 30 LGBTQ+ people and high-profile allies. The campaign, which launched earlier this summer, highlights the experiences of LGBTQ+ young people while calling for greater understanding, safer spaces and better support.
The campaign comes at a time when LGBTQ+ young people continue to face significant challenges. Nearly half of LGBTQ+ pupils experience bullying because of who they are, almost six in ten have seriously considered suicide, and almost a quarter may never complete secondary school, twice the national average.
The Proud Place in the heart of Manchester
At the heart of the charity’s work is The Proud Place in Manchester, one of only a small number of purpose-built LGBTQ+ centres in Europe. The Proud Trust also supports thousands of LGBTQ+ young people through youth groups, one-to-one support, mentoring, family services, education programmes, professional training and its Rainbow Flag Award programme. Following the Supreme Court ruling in For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers, referrals to the charity increased by 171%, underlining the growing demand for specialist LGBTQ+ support.
Now, #DeserveBetter is being amplified through a powerful new campaign film bringing all 30 celebrities together for the first time, united behind one message, that every LGBTQ+ young person deserves to feel safe, accepted, heard and able to thrive.
The support of so many celebrities
The film brings together an extraordinary cross-section of the UK’s LGBTQ+ community and high-profile allies from film, television, music, comedy, theatre, literature and elite sport. Leading the line-up are singer and television presenter Dannii Minogue, actor and broadcaster Sir Stephen Fry, Olympic champion Dame Kelly Holmes, comedians Tom Allen and James Barr, actor Denise Welch, Heartstopper’s Kizzy Edgell, radio presenter Adele Roberts, and Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story actor Cyril Nri.
Joining them are Coronation Street favourites Charlie Condou and Alexandra Mardell; former Lioness Anita Asante; award-winning author Matt Cain MBE; It’s A Sin actor Nathaniel J Hall; Brassic regular Neil Ashton; Smoggie Queens duo Elijah Young and Peter McPherson; Tip Toe stars Shakeel Kimotho and Gabriel Clark; West End performer Rob Madge; former England footballer Lianne Sanderson; England rugby stars Heather Fisher and Meg Jones MBE; Scottish badminton champion Kirsty Gilmour; British wheelchair tennis player Lucy Shuker BEM; two-time world champion curler Bruce Mouat; and RuPaul’s Drag Race‘s Danny Beard, Courtney Act, Catrin Feelings and Elle Vosque.
For more information about The Proud Trust and the #DeserveBetter campaign, visit www.TheProudTrust.org or watch the campaign film on Instagram at @The_Proud_Trust or on Facebook
Every LGBTQ+ young person deserves to feel safe
Rachel Williams, CEO of The Proud Trust, said, “Every LGBTQ+ young person deserves to feel safe, accepted and proud of who they are. At a time when LGBTQ+ lives are being debated more than ever, it’s vital that young people know they are valued, supported and never alone. We’re incredibly proud that 30 respected LGBTQ+ people and allies have chosen to stand with us and support #DeserveBetter. Their voices send a powerful message that there is a whole community standing beside LGBTQ+ young people, championing their right to be themselves and thrive. #DeserveBetter is a call for all of us to do better, as if we come together we can build a future where every young person gets the support, acceptance and opportunities they deserve.”
Dannii Minogue said, “The future becomes brighter when more of us choose kindness, compassion and understanding. Supporting LGBTQ+ young people shouldn’t be extraordinary, it should simply be what we do. I’m so proud to support The Proud Trust and the #DeserveBetter campaign.”
Sir Stephen Fry said, “Every young person deserves to grow up knowing they are valued exactly as they are. Organisations like The Proud Trust provide hope, community and reassurance at a time when many LGBTQ+ young people need it most. I’m proud to support #DeserveBetter and help shine a light on the charity’s vital work.”
Dame Kelly Holmes said, “I know how hard it can be but also how important it is to be able to live authentically and without fear. Every LGBTQ+ young person deserves the chance to be themselves with confidence as well as feeling safe. The Proud Trust is helping make that possible, so it’s a pleasure to stand with them and support #DeserveBetter.”
Tom Allen said, “Growing up can be difficult enough without feeling like you don’t belong. The Proud Trust gives LGBTQ+ young people somewhere to turn, and that’s something worth celebrating and protecting. I hope #DeserveBetter encourages even more people to stand alongside LGBTQ+ young people.”
Danny Beard said, “No young person should ever feel like they have to hide who they are to be accepted. The Proud Trust creates spaces where LGBTQ+ young people can be themselves without apology, and that’s incredibly powerful. That’s why I’m backing the #DeserveBetter campaign because I don’t want anyone to feel how I felt growing up! Together we can really make a difference to the next generation of queer youth.”
Courtney Act said, “Every LGBTQ+ young person deserves to feel seen, respected and celebrated for who they are. The Proud Trust is changing lives by creating safe spaces and giving young people the confidence to thrive. Supporting #DeserveBetter was an easy decision because visibility and kindness really do matter.”
Denise Welch said, “Every child deserves to grow up feeling loved, accepted and safe. The Proud Trust is doing incredible work supporting LGBTQ+ young people when they need it most, and I’m delighted to lend my voice to #DeserveBetter. I hope this campaign reminds young people that there are so many people rooting for them.”
Kizzy Edgell said, “Representation can change how a young person sees themselves and what’s possible for their future. The Proud Trust is helping LGBTQ+ young people find confidence, friendship and community, I’m lucky to support that work. Every young person deserves to know they belong in this world.”
Adele Roberts said, “When someone believes in you, it can change the way you see yourself. The Proud Trust is giving LGBTQ+ young people that belief, encouragement and reassurance every single day, and I’m so proud to support #DeserveBetter.”
James Barr said, “Being LGBTQ+ can be incredibly isolating, so knowing you’re not alone can be absolutely life-changing. That’s exactly the support The Proud Trust provides every single day. #DeserveBetter is about making sure every young person feels safe enough to be themselves, everywhere. I’m so proud to be part of this campaign.”
Cyril Nri said, “Young people flourish when they feel accepted, encouraged and understood. The Proud Trust has been doing that work for years, often quietly and without fanfare, and it deserves our support. I’m honoured to join #DeserveBetter and help amplify that message.”
Charlie Condou said, “Every young person deserves to grow up knowing there’s nothing wrong with who they are. The Proud Trust is helping LGBTQ+ young people build confidence, find community and realise they have a future full of possibility. I’m pleased to help shine a light on that through #DeserveBetter.”
Alexandra Mardell said, “Feeling accepted can change a young person’s life. The Proud Trust creates spaces where LGBTQ+ young people can be themselves, make friendships and feel supported, and that’s something worth celebrating. I’m delighted to stand with #DeserveBetter.”
Anita Asante said, “We all have a responsibility to make the world a kinder place for the next generation. The Proud Trust is doing incredible work to make sure LGBTQ+ young people feel safe, supported and valued. I’m pleased to add my voice to #DeserveBetter.”
Matt Cain MBE said, “Feeling accepted can change the course of a young person’s life. The Proud Trust is helping thousands of LGBTQ+ young people find confidence, community and support, and that work has never been more important. I’m honoured to support #DeserveBetter and help shine a light on everything the charity does.”
Nathaniel J Hall said, “When I came out at 16, I learned I didn’t just have to overcome my own internalised shame, but the shame of everyone else around me. The Proud Trust is creating spaces where LGBTQ+ young people can find hope, connection and belonging, and that work has never been more important. It’s a no brainer that they have my support. #DeserveBetter.”
Neil Ashton said, “Growing up is hard enough without feeling isolated or excluded. The Proud Trust is making a genuine difference to LGBTQ+ young people’s lives by giving them somewhere they can feel accepted and understood. I’m really pleased to get behind #DeserveBetter.”
Elijah Young said, “Every LGBTQ+ young person deserves to know they have people in their corner. It’s inspiring to see the invaluable work The Proud Trust is doing to create opportunities for young people to find confidence, community and friendship. I’m a proud supporter of #DeserveBetter!”
Peter McPherson said, “Everyone deserves somewhere they can truly belong, and The Proud Trust provides that sense of belonging for thousands of LGBTQ+ young people every year. I hope #DeserveBetter helps even more young people realise they are never alone.”
Shakeel Kimotho said, “Being accepted for who you are shouldn’t be something anyone has to fight for. The Proud Trust is helping LGBTQ+ young people feel seen, heard and supported, and that’s why I’m proud to support #DeserveBetter. Every young person deserves that chance.”
Gabriel Clark said, “Young people thrive when they’re surrounded by acceptance and encouragement. The Proud Trust is giving LGBTQ+ young people exactly that through its life-changing work across the UK. I’m proud to join #DeserveBetter and help share that message.”
Rob Madge said, “All young people deserve the freedom to express themselves without fear or judgement, and The Proud Trust is creating spaces where LGBTQ+ young people can discover who they are with confidence and joy. Supporting #DeserveBetter felt incredibly important to me.”
Lianne Sanderson said, “Everyone deserves to feel like they belong, whether that’s on a sports team, at school or in their own community. The Proud Trust is making a real difference to LGBTQ+ young people, and I’m proud to stand with #DeserveBetter and everything it represents.”
Heather Fisher said, “Sport taught me the importance of teamwork, resilience and backing each other through the toughest moments. Every LGBTQ+ young person deserves that same support, and The Proud Trust is helping to make that happen. I’m honoured to support #DeserveBetter.”
Meg Jones MBE said, “Feeling accepted gives young people the confidence to achieve incredible things. The Proud Trust is helping LGBTQ+ young people believe in themselves and know they belong, and it’s a privilege to support #DeserveBetter.”
Kirsty Gilmour said, “Everyone deserves the chance to grow up feeling safe, confident and accepted. The Proud Trust is providing life-changing support to LGBTQ+ young people across the UK, and I’m proud to help shine a light on that through #DeserveBetter.”
Lucy Shuker BEM said, “No young person should ever feel excluded because of who they are. The Proud Trust is creating opportunities for LGBTQ+ young people to thrive, and I’m proud to support a campaign that champions inclusion, acceptance and hope for the future.”
Bruce Mouat said, “Having a strong support network can make all the difference in life. The Proud Trust provides that for thousands of LGBTQ+ young people every year, and I’m proud to stand alongside #DeserveBetter and the incredible work the charity does.”
Catrin Feelings said, “Being yourself should never feel like the brave thing to do. The Proud Trust is helping LGBTQ+ young people find confidence, community and acceptance, and I’m so proud to support #DeserveBetter. Every young person deserves to be celebrated for exactly who they are.”
Elle Vosque said, “Visibility is so important because you never know who might need to see someone like themselves. The Proud Trust is creating brighter futures for LGBTQIA+ young people every day, and I’m delighted to help share its message of hope, acceptance and belonging through #DeserveBetter.”
Photo credits: Dannii Minogue – KDB Artists Pty. Ltd.
Denise Welch – Kim Hardy
Gabriel Clark – Maggie Meijun
All other picture: provided by The Proud Trust
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