Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten shared photos on social media documenting his meeting with Heartstopper star Joe Locke during WorldPride 2026 in Amsterdam.
The encounter took place as WorldPride events kicked off across the Dutch capital, where Jetten, who serves as the Netherlands’ first openly gay prime minister, also announced a new 7.5 million euro annual government fund dedicated to improving LGBTQ+ safety and protecting human rights across the country.
In his post, Jetten expressed his gratitude to the 22-year-old actor, thanking him for using his global platform to advocate for queer youth and championing visibility in mainstream media.
He noted that stories like Heartstopper demonstrate how kindness matters, love should be celebrated, and hope can be found even during challenging times, emphasizing that books, films, and art play a crucial role in helping people feel seen and understood.
Locke, who rose to international fame playing Charlie Spring in Netflix’s hit series and recently joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Agatha All Along, has consistently been an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, youth safety, and mental health awareness.
Their meeting underscored the power of combining political leadership and cultural representation on an international stage, with Jetten using his address at the WorldPride Human Rights Conference to remind attendees that while the Netherlands has historically pioneered LGBTQ+ equality, ongoing effort and active funding remain vital to combat hostility and ensure long-term community safety.
