Heartstopper’s Yasmin Finney celebrated by MP for ‘life-saving’ trans representation as House of Commons debate conversion therapy ban
supports HTML5 videoOh, no big deal, just Heartstopper’s Yasmin Finney getting a shoutout in the actual House of Commons!The 18-year-old actress made her screen debut in the LGBTQ+ coming of age series earlier this year, playing Elle Argent, a schoolgirl who is transgender and moves from an all-boys grammar school to a girls school.Since its release, Heartstopper has inspired countless fans across the world, with thousands finding courage in the show to come out to their own families.One particular aspect of the series – based on the graphic novels by Alice Oseman – that has been praised is its authentic representation, with Yasmin being at the forefront of those celebrations for how she portrays Elle.Yasmin was mentioned by Labour MP Luke Pollard recently as the House of Commons debated the government’s conversion therapy ban, which currently does not include trans people.Pollard – who is Plymouth’s first ‘out’ MP – has continuously expressed his love for Heartstopper, reflecting today on how it reminds him of his younger days.‘I am so pleased with all my heart that young people in school now not only have LGBT young people in the public eye, but they can see them onscreen as well,’ he began in the debate.‘Some of you will know that I’m an unapologetic fan of Netflix’s Heartstopper and I remember being both Nick and Charlie at school.‘But, for me, it’s Yasmin Finney who plays Elle in the show who is not only epic in her acting, but the class and visibility of her as as trans actor, and her transfer over to the Doctor Who universe, has not only inspired me, it’s inspired young trans people across the world and it has saved lives.
