Key Points
- Former England rugby international Heather Fisher and West End actor Rob Madge are supporting a national campaign for LGBTQ+ young people.
- The Proud Trust launched the initiative under the title #DeserveBetter.
- Sir Stephen Fry, Dannii Minogue, and Dame Kelly Holmes are among 30 public figures appearing in the campaign film to ask for safer spaces and improved support.
- Organisers said young LGBTQ+ people across the UK need safe environments and targeted support networks.
West Midlands (Birmingham Express) November 9, 2026 – Two prominent West Midlands figures have lent their voices to a national campaign advocating for enhanced support and safer spaces for LGBTQ+ young people.
Former England rugby international and Olympian Heather Fisher, born in Birmingham, along with Coventry-born West End actor and writer Rob Madge, feature alongside 28 other high-profile figures in a campaign film spearheaded by LGBTQ+ youth charity The Proud Trust.
Why are West Midlands celebrities standing up for LGBTQ+ youth?
As reported by Edwin Buckley of BirminghamWorld, former England rugby star Heather Fisher and West End performer Rob Madge have signed on to back The Proud Trust’s national campaign, #DeserveBetter. The national initiative brings together a total of 30 celebrities and allies from sports, media, and the arts to push for safer environments, reduced hostility, and increased targeted support for young people exploring or identifying within the LGBTQ+ spectrum.
Speaking on the launch of the initiative, representatives from The Proud Trust emphasised that the campaign film serves as a direct message of solidarity to young individuals across the country.
As reported by Sarah Creighton Keogh of GCN, representatives of The Proud Trust stated that the campaign is designed to “remind LGBTQ+ young people that they are not alone and that a wider community is standing beside them”.
Alongside Fisher and Madge, the initiative features a wide range of national icons. As reported by North East Bylines, figures such as television presenter Sir Stephen Fry, pop artist Dannii Minogue, Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes, and former England footballer Lianne Sanderson have also added their support to the charity’s appeal.
The involvement of regional stars like Fisher, who represented Great Britain in rugby sevens at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, and Madge, acclaimed for their autobiographical West End show My Son’s a Queer (But What Can You Do?), brings significant local visibility to the West Midlands.
How does the #DeserveBetter campaign aim to create change?
The Proud Trust created the #DeserveBetter video asset to address ongoing challenges faced by LGBTQ+ youth, including isolation, mental health struggles, and bullying. The charity works continuously to provide youth groups, mentoring, and educational training to schools and community centres across the UK.
By marshalling 30 high-profile public figures, the organization aims to elevate community awareness and encourage institutions to foster more inclusive environments. Campaign organizers stated that providing dedicated youth groups and visibly supportive adult role models drastically improves long-term outcomes for young people growing up LGBTQ+.
The campaign encourages members of the public, schools, and community organizations to share the video across social media channels and access resource toolkits provided by the charity.
Background of the particular development
The Proud Trust is one of the UK’s longest-standing charities dedicated to supporting LGBTQ+ young people. Operating primarily out of youth hubs and community centres, the charity offers direct youth work, crisis intervention, peer support networks, and training for education professionals.
The launch of the #DeserveBetter initiative comes at a time when research across the charity sector highlights persistent pressures on young LGBTQ+ individuals. Reports from educational and youth services consistently show higher rates of anxiety, feeling unsafe in educational settings, and lack of family acceptance compared to non-LGBTQ+ peers.
High-profile celebrity campaigns have historically proven effective for charities in destigmatising youth services, raising essential fundraising revenue, and driving institutional policy changes within regional councils and educational boards.
Prediction: How this development can affect LGBTQ+ youth and regional communities
This development is expected to have a direct, positive impact on LGBTQ+ young people, particularly those residing in the West Midlands. Having local role models such as Heather Fisher and Rob Madge visibly championing their rights provides validation and reduces feelings of isolation among regional youth.
In the coming months, the campaign is likely to increase demand for local youth group services and encourage more schools across Birmingham, Coventry, and the broader Black Country to partner with inclusion charities.
For young people navigating identity challenges, elevated visibility from trusted public figures can serve as a vital stepping stone toward seeking professional mental health support, attending youth groups, and building resilience in their everyday environments.
