FIVE POWERFUL STORIES OF LOVE AND SUPPORT FROM THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY

Every story of Pride is as unique as the individuals experiencing it. Today, Burberry is releasing a film highlighting five stories from members of the LGBTQ+ community and their loved ones, as we come together to champion voices and drive meaningful allyship for LGBTQ+ communities everywhere.

Members of the Burberry family, including Edem Dossou, Lea T, Aweng Chuol, Kerron Clement and Erica Bougard invited those closest to them to take part, with discussions ranging from feeling safe to be their authentic selves, to what Pride means to them today. By focusing on the importance of connection, support and love across different relationships and generations, we aim to encourage more of these kinds of conversations throughout Pride season and beyond this moment of official celebration.

Alongside the film, Burberry continues its longstanding support for the LGBTQ+ community through contributions to organisations creating positive and lasting change, including charity partner the Albert Kennedy Trust. This donation will further support akt’s emergency resources and services, which have seen significant demand through the pandemic.

Carrie Reiners, Deputy CEO, akt: “Last year, akt saw a 71% increase in footfall from young LGBTQ+ people fleeing abuse from unsupportive homes simply for being who they are. Burberry’s generous support ensured that we could not only work to meet this unprecedented demand but allowed us to adapt and future proof our services. We are thrilled to have Burberry as a corporate partner again this year so that we can continue to meet the changing needs of LGBTQ+ young people throughout the UK to provide safe accommodation and support when and where it is needed most.”

In addition, Burberry will be contributing to initiatives chosen by the cast of the film. These include multinational organisations and local foundations working to support LGBTQ+ communities around the world, providing resources such as shelter, economic empowerment, wellbeing programmes and inclusive safe spaces.

The organisations nominated by the cast include:

• Born This Way Foundation, furthering its mission is to support youth mental health and work with young people to build a kinder, braver world.
• Casa Neon Cunha, offering shelter and secure spaces to members of the LGBTQ+ community without safe homes.
• Center for Black Equity, working to improve the lives of Black LGBTQ+ people globally by focusing on economic, health and social equity.

ABOUT THE ALBERT KENNEDY TRUST

• Akt is the national LGBTQ+ youth homelessness charity, providing safe homes and better futures for LGBTQ+ young people.  Almost one quarter of all young people facing or experiencing homelessness identify as LGBTQ+, and 77 per cent of those cite rejection or abuse from their families because of it. The charity was set up in Manchester in 1989 by straight ally and former foster carer Cath Hall, and a group of founding members, and has since opened its doors in London, Newcastle and launched a new service in Bristol in 2019.  In 30 years, akt has provided over 250,000 nights off the street and supported over 50,000 LGBTQ+ young people at risk of, or experiencing, homelessness.
• Through Burberry’s support of akt’s COVID-19 Fund last year, the charity was able to provide emergency accommodation for young people who needed to leave their home environment, financial support towards a deposit and first month’s rent for those accessing private accommodation and access to technology and data. The teams were also able to provide emergency accommodation, food parcels, PPE packages and even supported wellbeing to help fight isolation and build resilience.