Tynemouth television favourite Denise Welch, Hartlepool actor Peter McPherson and Teesside sitcom star Elijah Young 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
The Proud Trust, one of the UK’s leading LGBTQ+ youth charities, has brought together three famous faces from the North East with some of the biggest names from film, TV, music and sport for a major new celebrity film supporting LGBTQ+ young people.
Actor and broadcaster Denise Welch was born in Tynemouth, attended school in Whitley Bay and Newcastle, and later moved to Ebchester in County Durham. Her television career has included major roles in Coronation Street, Waterloo Road and Hollyoaks, while she recently starred in Russell T Davies’ Channel 4 drama Tip Toe and Channel 5’s Benidorm Is Murder.
Joining Denise are actors Peter McPherson and Elijah Young. Peter was born and raised in Hartlepool and plays Harrison in BBC Three’s Middlesbrough-set comedy Smoggie Queens, with other television credits including Hollyoaks and Years and Years. Elijah was born and raised in Teesside and also stars in Smoggie Queens. The three North East stars appear in The Proud Trust’s new #DeserveBetter campaign film alongside 27 other LGBTQ+ celebrities and high-profile allies.
The #DeserveBetter campaign
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, 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, Tip Toe actors 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 further RuPaul’s Drag Race stars Catrin Feelings and Elle Vosque.
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.”
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.”
Rachel Williams, CEO of The Proud Trust, said, “All LGBTQ+ young people deserve 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 Denise, Peter, Elijah and the other 27 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
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