Jonathan Bailey Runs Half Marathon for LGBTQ+ Youth
We’ve got some heartwarming news to share about one of our favorite actors, Jonathan Bailey. On Sunday, May 19, the Fellow Travelers star joined over 20,000 runners to participate in the Hackney Half Marathon. This 13.1-mile race started at Hackney Marshes, passed along the scenic Regent’s Canal, and through London Fields before looping back to the finish line. But what makes this event even more special is the cause Jonathan was running for.
Jonathan raised over 30,000 euros for Just Like Us, a fantastic charity dedicated to making education more inclusive for LGBT+ youth. Just Like Us works with thousands of primary schools, secondary schools, and colleges across the UK. Their mission is to ensure that all young people know that being LGBT+ is something to be celebrated. They achieve this through school talks, Pride Groups programs, and School Diversity Week.
In a heartfelt message on his fundraising page, Jonathan shared why this cause means so much to him:
“LGBT+ young people today are twice as likely to be bullied, face depression, anxiety, and feel lonely on a daily basis. 91% have heard homophobic and transphobic slurs. Just Like Us is the LGBT+ young people’s charity. They work with thousands of schools and young people right across the UK to make sure everyone knows that being LGBT+ is something to be celebrated. I’ve met some of their young ambassadors who go into schools, talking about their personal journeys with coming out, allyship, and helping stop bullying. They inspired me to become a patron of this wonderful charity. Just Like Us is doing vital work to make sure young people no longer grow up feeling ashamed of being lesbian, gay, bisexual, or trans. But they need our help. I’m running a half marathon in aid of Just Like Us, an incredibly important charity that is empowering LGBT+ young people, and I am very proud to be a patron of. Please dig deep to support this vital cause and together let’s change the lives of LGBT+ young people who don’t yet know that you can grow up to be gay, proud, and happy.”
We couldn’t be more proud of Jonathan for using his platform to support such a vital cause. It’s no wonder he’s among our favorites. Not only is he incredibly talented and handsome, but he’s also got a heart of gold.
Let’s all take a moment to congratulate Jonathan Bailey for his dedication and for helping make the world a better place for queer youth. If you’re feeling inspired, you can still donate to his fundraising page and support Just Like Us in their mission to create a more inclusive and accepting world for LGBT+ young people.
Keep shining, Jonathan!
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Featured image: Jonathan Bailey on IG.
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