Jane Hazlegrove, best known for her role as Bernie Winter on the long-running British soap Coronation Street, has made headlines this week after publicly breaking her silence on the homophobia she experiences daily. In a heartfelt and courageous interview, the 56-year-old actress opened up about the emotional toll of being a visible, openly gay woman in the public eye, and how she continues to face prejudice and hate simply for being who she is. Her words have sparked a powerful wave of support, as well as renewed conversations about the reality of discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals in the UK and beyond.

Hazlegrove, who has been with her wife Isobel Middleton for many years, spoke candidly about the challenges she still faces in 2025, despite living in a time when many believe progress has already been made. “People assume that because I’m on television, I’m somehow immune to abuse,” she said. “But the truth is, I still get shouted at in the street, I still hear the slurs, I still receive the hateful messages.”

For many fans, it came as a shock that such a beloved and long-established actress would be enduring this kind of treatment. Hazlegrove has become a household name through her roles in both Coronation Street and Casualty, earning praise for portraying strong, authentic, working-class characters. But beyond the screen, Jane has also become a quiet yet resolute advocate for the LGBTQ+ community—something she says is no longer enough to do silently.

“I’ve been quiet for too long,” she admitted. “But staying quiet hasn’t made it go away. If anything, it’s allowed it to fester. So I’m choosing to speak out—not just for me, but for the younger generation who might think this is something they have to just accept.”

Her words struck a chord with fans and fellow celebrities alike. Many took to social media to express their admiration for her honesty and bravery, sharing their own stories and messages of solidarity. Activists praised her for using her platform to highlight an issue that, while often ignored or dismissed, remains a painful daily reality for many.

Hazlegrove also spoke about the psychological toll that constant microaggressions and overt hostility can take. “You learn to brush it off because you have to, but it doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt. It’s like carrying invisible bruises,” she said. “There are days when I think, ‘Why does who I love bother anyone else so much?’ And then I remember—it’s not about me. It’s about fear, ignorance, and people who can’t stand seeing others living freely.”

In the same interview, she also took time to recognize the support she’s received throughout her journey—from her wife, her close friends, and even from fans who have written letters of appreciation over the years. “Knowing that there are people out there who care, who listen, who stand with us—it makes a difference. It really does,” she said.

Hazlegrove’s remarks come at a time when reports of hate crimes based on sexual orientation are on the rise in parts of the UK. Despite the progress made in marriage equality and representation, many LGBTQ+ individuals continue to face harassment at school, work, in public spaces, and online. Hazlegrove emphasized the need for more education, more allyship, and more visibility—not just during Pride Month, but all year round.

“I love playing Bernie because she’s bold, she’s scrappy, she’s unapologetic,” Jane reflected. “In many ways, she’s a version of who I wish I could be all the time. But even she would be sick of hearing what I hear on the street.”

As her voice cracked with emotion, Jane made it clear that this wasn’t about seeking sympathy. “I don’t want pity—I want change. I want young LGBTQ+ people to grow up without fear. I want queer actors to be cast for who they are, not who they pretend to be. I want us to stop treating queerness like it’s a problem to be tolerated.”

She also addressed those who continue to make excuses for homophobia, cloaking it in jokes or religious justifications. “We have to stop giving hate a free pass. Disrespect wrapped in tradition is still disrespect. Violence, whether verbal or physical, leaves scars.”

Since her story broke, several of her Coronation Street co-stars have shown their support publicly. Actor Daniel Brocklebank, who is also openly gay, praised Jane for her “strength and clarity” and called her “a warrior we need more of.” Other cast members described her as a “pillar of integrity” and “a true role model.”

Social media flooded with hashtags like #StandWithJane and #LGBTQVoicesMatter. Within 24 hours, LGBTQ+ charities and helplines reported a spike in engagement, with many citing Hazlegrove’s interview as the reason they felt empowered to seek support or speak up.

Even viewers who had previously felt disconnected from LGBTQ+ issues wrote in to say her words opened their eyes. “It’s easy to think everything’s fine just because you don’t see it happening,” one viewer tweeted. “Jane’s story made me realize how wrong that assumption is.”

Hazlegrove ended her statement with a message of hope and resilience. “We’re not going anywhere,” she said firmly. “We’ve always been here—quietly, loudly, beautifully, and sometimes broken. But we are here. And I will keep using my voice, however small it might feel some days, because silence has never saved anyone.”

Her powerful response is a reminder that even in 2025, the fight for acceptance, dignity, and equality continues. But it also shows that one voice—especially when it belongs to someone with a platform—can inspire thousands more to rise up, speak out, and demand better. Jane Hazlegrove’s courage is not just admirable—it’s necessary. And in speaking her truth, she has given others the strength to do the same.