Leeds-born Coronation Street star Alexandra Mardell and Bradford-born Tip Toe actor Shakeel Kimotho 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 West Yorkshire with some of the biggest names from film, TV, music and sport for a major new celebrity film supporting LGBTQ+ young people.

Alexandra Mardell was born and raised in Leeds and attended Batley Grammar School. She is best known for playing Emma Brooker in ITV’s Coronation Street and more recently starred as Lucinda in BBC Three’s Smoggie Queens, with other television credits including Daddy Issues, The Family Pile and Vera.

Joining Alexandra is Bradford-born and raised actor Shakeel Kimotho, who most recently played Hanna Ayomide in Russell T Davies’ Channel 4 drama Tip Toe, having built an acclaimed stage career in productions including La Cage Aux Folles, CATS and Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens. The pair appear in The Proud Trust’s new #DeserveBetter campaign film alongside 28 other LGBTQ+ celebrities and high-profile allies.

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. The film forms part of The Proud Trust’s #DeserveBetter campaign, which launched earlier this summer to highlight the experiences of LGBTQ+ young people and call 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 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 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.

Completing the #DeserveBetter film line-up are comedian James Barr, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story actor Cyril Nri, Coronation Street actor Charlie Condou, 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 actor 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 further RuPaul’s Drag Race stars Catrin Feelings and Elle Vosque.

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.”

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.”

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 Alexandra, Shakeel 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.”

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

For further information, please contact Edwin Buckley at The Prominence Collective:

• [email protected]
• 07828 007 899

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