Mother of murdered UK gay teen supports anti-homophobia play, FIT

She said: “The message has got to go out loud and clear. People should be free to live their lives as they choose to live them.

“It has a lot to do with education. We need to get into the schools and instill in people at an early age that homophobia will not be tolerated.”

She will join the cast of FIT while it tours schools, theatres and youth clubs across Merseyside later this month.

More than 5,000 young people are expected to watch the play, and Mrs Causer will be talking to them about homophobia.

The shows are being put on by housing associations Knowsley Housing Trust (KHT) and Riverside, who have been working with Liverpool’s arts and social justice organisation, Homotopia, to bring the play to the area.

KHT chief executive Bob Taylor said: "This is a major issue that we need to tackle.

"We hope that bringing this play to Merseyside will highlight the issues that young people face when confronted with homophobic behaviour.

"There is no place for homophobia in our society and we are committed to doing all we can to stamp it out."