Sebastian Croft and Connor Jessup are turning Pride season into a full-on mission of queer empowerment with their powerful initiative Queer Was Always Here.
Created in 2023 by the two actors—Croft, known for his emotional turn in Netflix’s Heartstopper, and Jessup, the breakout star of Locke & Key—the project is more than just a fashion statement.
It’s a movement dedicated to queer lives, queer art, and queer history, with a laser-sharp focus on helping LGBTQIA+ refugees and displaced people around the world.
The community-driven platform works in partnership with the nonprofit Choose Love to secure safer futures for queer people fleeing conflict and persecution.
This year’s Pride campaign saw the two actors launching a bold pop-up shop at Selfridges in London, offering a striking new collection of merch designed by queer artist Jack Taylor Lovatt.
100% of proceeds go to grassroots organizations offering essential support for vulnerable LGBTQ+ individuals globally.
From the catchy “Queer Past” t-shirts worn by Croft to the Instagram-worthy visuals flooding Gay Twitter, the campaign has captured attention not just for its aesthetics but for its purpose.
Queer Was Always Here is not just a clever name—it’s a defiant reminder that queer people have always existed, loved, created, and resisted.
And now, with stars like Croft and Jessup leading the charge, that legacy continues to shine in the mainstream spotlight.
Both actors have long been vocal about queer visibility and inclusion in media, but this project elevates their activism to a new level.
It’s about tangible impact, not just online likes.
With hundreds of thousands of pounds already raised since the initiative’s launch, Queer Was Always Here proves what happens when queer creativity meets compassionate action.
So whether you’re a fan of Heartstopper or Locke & Key, or just someone who believes in equality and inclusion, this is the kind of Pride campaign that deserves your attention—and your coin.
The pop-up may be temporary, but its message is timeless: queer lives matter, queer history is rich, and yes—queer was always here.