In a powerful new initiative, LGBTQ+ celebrities are teaming up with prominent figures from the world of film, television, music, and sports to raise awareness for modern slavery. The campaign, organised by the modern slavery charity Causeway, features notable personalities such as RuPaul’s Drag Race winner Danny Beard, Olympic boxer Cindy Ngamba, and Coronation Street star Shelley King.
Modern slavery remains a pressing global issue, with over 50 million individuals trapped in exploitation, including more than 100,000 in the UK alone. The LGBTQ+ community faces heightened risks of falling victim to modern slavery due to factors such as homelessness, mental health challenges, and violence, which disproportionately affect its members.
Causeway are a national modern slavery charity and one of the largest providers of support to those trapped in modern slavery. Their vital work includes providing safehouses, outreach programmes, one-to-one specialist support and holistic crisis support to victims of modern slavery, and training courses to help businesses and organisations to understand and fight modern slavery.
The “Stand With Survivors” campaign aims to shed light on the specific threats that LGBTQ+ people face in the context of modern slavery. For example, in countries where being gay is illegal, traffickers can exploit the fear of exposure, coercing victims into forced labor or sexual acts. As the campaign makes clear, those without support networks—often due to marginalisation—are particularly at risk.
Cindy Ngamba, who made history as the first medalist for the Olympic Refugee Team, highlights the importance of community support. “We’re coming together to encourage everybody to stand with survivors of modern slavery, and create a world where everyone has the same rights and freedoms,” she asserts. Ngamba, who fled Cameroon due to the persecution of LGBTQ+ individuals, understands the dangers faced by those in similar situations.
The campaign features various LGBTQ+ celebrities, including Alicya Eyo, Theo Mayne, and Miles Asteri, who share their perspectives on the challenges faced by modern slavery survivors and call for greater awareness of the victims who are often denied a voice.
As the campaign rolls out, Causeway aims to not only raise awareness but also foster a sense of community and support for those affected by modern slavery. Causeway’s Head of Communications and Engagement Edwin Buckley, underscores the importance of authentic representation in the campaign. “Modern slavery does not discriminate; anybody could find themselves affected by it,” he notes, adding “The campaign is encouraging everybody to ‘stand with survivors’, and show our allyship, care and support for those who have been, or who are currently being, affected by modern slavery.”
To learn more about the Stand With Survivors campaign and how to support the cause, visit www.wearecauseway.org.uk or follow Causeway on social media @CausewayCharity.
Together, we can stand with survivors and combat modern slavery in all its forms.
Donate to Causeway today, and help them to continue their fight for Survivors of modern slavery.
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