Jonathan Bailey Pivots From Hollywood Blockbusters to Championing LGBTQIA+ Rights
From captivating audiences in Bridgerton to preparing for cinematic roles in Wicked and Jurassic Park, Jonathan Bailey has maintained an exceptionally packed schedule.
“For roughly three years, my professional life has been non-stop, an experience I've found both incredible and astonishing,” the 37-year-old actor, Bailey, shared with British GQ in their conversation released on Wednesday, September 3. “Given the current global climate, I plan to pause my acting career briefly next year to dedicate my full attention to the Shameless Fund.”
In 2024, Bailey established the Shameless Fund foundation, created to provide assistance to the LGBTQIA+ community. (Bailey identifies publicly as queer.)
“Globally, legislation hostile to LGBTQ+ individuals is becoming more prevalent,” states a description from the organization's website. “Through partnerships with international brands, we are generating funds to empower international, national, and local non-profits, working towards a world where every LGBTQ+ person can live genuinely, love without restriction, and flourish free from prejudice, subjugation, or stigma.”
Jonathan Bailey of Bridgerton Engages in Alluring Milk Consumption for a Noble Purpose
Bailey indicated a desire to become more directly involved in the day-to-day operations of the nonprofit.
“My efforts in the coming months will center on recruitment, ensuring we have the most suitable individuals in key positions,” Bailey informed GQ, before emphasizing the core objective of the Shameless Fund. “Consider this data point: for every £100 collected in the UK, merely 1 pence benefits the LGBTQ+ community. It necessitates considerable effort to uncover effective remedies, and I sincerely believe The Shameless Fund offers precisely that.”
The performer enthusiastically added that the foundation’s partnerships are simultaneously enjoyable, inventive, and capable of enacting “significant change.”
Regarding Bailey personally, he earlier disclosed that he first accepted his sexual identity following his attendance at a London Pride event in 2006.
Jonathan Bailey Recounts a Stranger 'Threatening' His Life Due to His Sexual Orientation
“I was involved in a theatrical production, having replaced Andrew Garfield in Beautiful Thing; during rehearsals, I was brought to Pride to gain insight into the community. I distinctly recall that experience. However, it wasn't the right juncture for me,” Bailey recounted to Attitude magazine in 2020. “The most cautious discussions I've encountered regarding my openness about my sexuality in contemporary times have originated from gay men within the industry, advising, ‘No, you mustn't reveal that. It's truly ill-advised.’”
He elaborated, “This occurred at a point when I was perhaps reconciling with my own sexual identity; I hadn't intentionally concealed it. However, I've never been dishonest concerning it. It simply hadn't been necessary to discuss it previously. I perceive a noticeable undercurrent of shame among gay men in this profession. Yet, there’s also the pervasive heteronormative, heterosexual perception of sexuality.”
Since then, Bailey has been involved in a relationship with a partner he described as “charming” during a 2023 conversation with London’s Evening Standard, and he frequently chooses to maintain the privacy of their shared life.
“For me, maintaining a private existence is absolutely essential,” Bailey further stated then. “I question whether I could possess the same confidence to advocate on other issues if I believed my entire personal life were subject to public scrutiny.”
