Emily Ota | Writer
May 23, 2025
Pedro Pascal, Chilean-American actor, has been gaining more traction in recent months due to his recognizable LGBTQ+ support, more specifically that for the transgender community. Pascal has been known for openly supporting the community and their rights in interviews and on social media. For context on his unwavering support, Pascal has a transgender sister, Lux, who came out in 2021. He has described her as “one of the most powerful people” he has ever known, and frequently shows off their healthy bond. Lux adores Pascal’s bravery in being himself, and has said that she is inspired by his ability to display his views for everyone to see. Lux shared that the main lesson she has learned from her brother is that “there’s no reason…to hide who I am.”
One of Pascal’s go-to sources of influence is his “Protect the Dolls” shirt. He commonly wears the tee at important events, such as the UK premiere for “Thunderbolts,” following the Uk Supreme Court ruling that trans women would not be considered women under the law, and his 50th birthday party knowing that he will attract press and spread the word. Pascal has made the shirt viral, causing many other celebrities to buy and wear it. So far, celebrities including Addison Rae, Troye Sivan, and Haider Ackerman have bought and showed off their “Protect the Dolls” shirts. Noah Santana, a junior at SCHS, claimed that he believes that the shirts aren’t only about raising awareness, “but taking action towards protecting trans rights with it directly being linked to the Trans Lifeline.”
The shirt was created by designer Conner Ives, and, as Santana said, all of the proceeds go to the Trans Lifeline. The Trans Lifeline is a US-based, trans led non-profit charity that aims to provide emotional and financial support for all transgender people. So far, Ives’s t-shirts have raised over $70,000 for the organization. The Trans Lifeline has expressed their gratitude for Ives, and plans to use the money to continue their “mission of connecting transgender individuals to community support and resources”(Trans Lifeline).
Forms of support, such as the t-shirts and lifeline, are crucial in this political atmosphere and time of new presidency. While in office, President Trump has already enacted an order that the government must only recognize two genders. Santana stated that celebrity support for trans rights “is very admirable” because “common decency is lacking nowadays” due to such government changes. Santana continued to say that while the shirts won’t directly alter any laws, they “bring together a community that operates to retaliate against the government,” which is equally as important. Bringing similar-minded people together is a force to be reckoned with, and as they continue to protest, things will change. When referring to the “Protect the Dolls” shirt that Ives himself was wearing at a UK fashion show, Ives said that he “didn’t want to create a show that created the feeling of peril.” As much as America is dropping in support for their LGBTQ+ citizens, Ives is a great example of how we need to keep our spirits high to obtain future goals.
The “Protect the Dolls” shirts are just one type of retaliation that allies can use against the government and other oppressors. Even though they cannot change laws themselves, the t-shirts are inspiring to people worldwide and are definitely making a difference.
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