Exclusive: Heartstopper star calls for more “positive LGBTQ+ representation” in schools
Bradley Riches is demanding more LGBTQ+ visibility in schools. The rising actor, who can be seen in the second season of Netflix’s Heartstopper, is calling for more “positive” representation in support of Just Like Us, the LGBTQ+ young people’s charity.
In a video statement, Riches explains how, as a gay person with autism, he “found it hard to navigate” in a world that is “fit for neurotypical people”. “I think this was due to me not fully understanding myself, be it in my sexuality or me being an autistic person.
I think this was also down to not seeing myself represented in a character. I never saw an openly gay, autistic character in anything I’ve seen, which made understanding myself even more difficult,” he says. “I just thought I was strange and the bullies didn’t help either.” Riches praises Just Like Us for their “important” work with LGBTQ+ youth, saying the charity would have been “so beneficial” for him when he was younger – as well as his peers: “It would have made them understand me better, and it would have made my time at school a little easier.” Just Like Us is notable for its Ambassador Programme, which trains LGBTQ+ young people – aged 18-25 – across the UK to to help stop anti-LGBTQ+ bullying and bring positive representation into classrooms.
Ambassadors also make LGBTQ+ friends, get access to LGBTQ+ career mentors, take part in media opportunities and gain access to skills workshops – including on leadership and wellbeing. “Just Like Us wants to bring more positive LGBTQ+ representation to as many schools as possible.
