West Midlands celebrities join Dannii Minogue and Sir Stephen Fry to front LGBTQ+ youth campaign
Birmingham Olympian and former England rugby star Heather Fisher and Coventry-born West End performer Rob Madge are among 30 LGBTQ+ celebrities and high-profile allies appearing in a new film for LGBTQ+ youth charity The Proud Trust, calling for greater support, safer spaces and understanding for LGBTQ+ young people. The line-up also includes pop icon Dannii Minogue, national treasure Sir Stephen Fry and Olympic legend Dame Kelly Holmes.
The Proud Trust, one of the UK’s leading LGBTQ+ youth charities, has brought together two famous faces from the West Midlands with some of the biggest names from film, TV, music and sport for a major new celebrity film supporting LGBTQ+ young people.
Former England rugby international Heather Fisher was brought up in Birmingham, where she still lives. She represented England at the 2010 and 2014 Women’s Rugby World Cups and went on to represent Team GB in rugby sevens at the 2016 Rio Olympics, where the team reached the bronze medal match.
Joining Heather is Coventry-born actor, writer and musical theatre performer Rob Madge. Rob began their career as a child performer in West End productions including Mary Poppins and Oliver!, and appeared as Gavroche in the 25th anniversary concert of Les Misérables at The O2. They are now best known for writing and starring in the award-winning and Olivier Award-nominated autobiographical show My Son’s a Queer (But What Can You Do?). Heather and Rob appear in The Proud Trust’s new #DeserveBetter campaign film alongside 28 other LGBTQ+ celebrities and high-profile allies.
The #DeserveBetter campaign launched earlier this summer to highlight the experiences of LGBTQ+ young people and call for greater understanding, safer spaces and better support. The new film brings all 30 names together behind one message, that every LGBTQ+ young person deserves to feel safe, accepted, heard and able to thrive.
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 Trust 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.
The film also features singer and presenter Dannii Minogue, actor and broadcaster Sir Stephen Fry, Olympic champion Dame Kelly Holmes, comedian Tom Allen, RuPaul’s Drag Race stars Danny Beard and Courtney Act, television favourite Denise Welch, Heartstopper actor Kizzy Edgell, radio presenter Adele Roberts, and author Matt Cain MBE.
Completing the line-up are comedian James Barr, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story actor Cyril Nri, Coronation Street favourites Charlie Condou and Alexandra Mardell, former Lioness Anita Asante, It’s A Sin actor Nathaniel J Hall, Brassic regular Neil Ashton, Smoggie Queens stars Elijah Young and Peter McPherson, Tip Toe actors Shakeel Kimotho and Gabriel Clark, former England footballer Lianne Sanderson, England rugby star Meg Jones MBE, Scottish badminton champion Kirsty Gilmour, British wheelchair tennis player Lucy Shuker BEM, two-time world champion curler Bruce Mouat, and further RuPaul’s Drag Race stars Catrin Feelings and Elle Vosque.
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.”
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.”
Rachel Williams, CEO of The Proud Trust, said, “Every 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 Heather, Rob and the other 28 LGBTQ+ people and allies taking part in the film 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.”
