On Thursday 26th February 2023, RuPaul’s Drag Race UK series four contestant, Jonbers Blonde is proud to announce their partnership with leading LGBTQ+ charity, Opening Doors in a collaboration dedicated to amplifying the voices of LGBTQ+ individuals over 50.

Known as Jonbers Blonde (real name Andrew Glover), the Northern Irish Drag Race phenomenon will be a Champion for Opening Doors, one of the largest UK charities that provides LGBTQ+ people over 50 with services and activities, a group that is significantly overlooked in media and continues to be marginalised. With services such as dementia support and inclusive relationship building, Opening Doors has made it their mission to let older LGBTQ+ individuals know that they are not alone and are valued members of society.

As part of the partnership, which is being announced following Jonbers' time on RuPaul's Drag Race UK, the TV and stage star will raise awareness of Opening Doors’ campaigns and events aimed at highlighting the challenges facing LGBTQ+ over-50s adults. 

As a first step, Opening Doors is launching a t-shirt campaign to commemorate 50 years since the first Pride march in the UK. Jonbers will support the campaign, which features t-shirts designed by queer artist FreddeLanka, with all proceeds going to the charity.

Speaking about the partnership, Jonbers Blonde comments: “I am so thrilled to become an ambassador of Opening Doors, a charity that I have admired for some time. To look forward we must look back and remember those who built upon our community. I’ve always been told I have an old spirit and connecting with the older community has always been a part of me. To spread the message of Opening Doors and help the community is incredibly important to me, and I’m excited to work together. To become older is not to be forgotten, it should be celebrated too.

Jonathan Buckerfield, Head of Fundraising and Communications at Opening Doors comments: “Working with Jonbers, who is undoubtedly an LGBTQ+ icon, is an amazing opportunity and we’re incredibly happy that they are highlighting our mission to support LGBTQ+ people over 50 and boosting awareness of our campaigns. Jonbers has been so great on RuPaul’s Drag Race and we’re already enjoying working with someone who shares our values and passions.”

As part of its current services and initiatives, Opening Doors has a befriending service that runs over 30 groups each month, and provides support to people of colour, the trans community and those affected by dementia. As part of its commitment to educating organisations in the UK about LGBTQ+ communities and their histories, Opening Doors also offers in-depth training on this across the country.

About Jonbers Blonde:

Born in Belfast, Northern Ireland and now residing in London, Jonbers Blonde (he/she) is a prominent drag queen, model, stylist and DJ. Jonbers began their drag queen journey in 2009 after joining east London drag collection Sink The Pink and won their Miss Sink the Pink competition in 2010. Since then, Jonbers has gone on to perform on stages across the world and performed alongside legends such as Melanie C. Most recently joined the cast of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK season 4 where she became a fan favourite and placed third alongside Black Peppa.