Latest news with #theDolls
Forbes
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Can A ‘Protect The Dolls' T-Shirt Really Save All?
During Coachella weekend, Australian pop singer Troye Sivan joined Charli XCX onstage wearing a white T-shirt with bold black lettering reading: 'Protect the Dolls.' The shirt, designed by American-born, London-based designer Conner Ives, has quickly become a statement piece that has gone viral over social media and within Hollywood. This shirt comes in the wake of the UK Supreme Court's ruling, in which judges unanimously determined that, under equality law, a woman is defined by biological sex. It also coincides with bans in both the UK and in the U.S., that prohibit transgender women from participating in women's sports. The move marked yet another aggressive shift of Trump's legislative agenda, as he continues to push anti-trans rhetoric and vows to eliminate what he calls 'transgender insanity'. The phrase 'Protect the Dolls' is intended as a symbolic gesture of protection for transgender women, who are often affectionately referred to as 'dolls.' Seen on the backs of Pedro Pascal, Tilda Swinton, and Addison Rae, the shirt acts as a rallying of love toward trans women—but can a T-shirt truly serve as a lifeline to them and how do actual Transgender women feel about them? T-shirt culture, which gained prominence during the Black Lives Matter protests, has faced criticism for being performative, serving as a substitute for real activism. These shirts often project an image of progressiveness or social awareness without necessarily reflecting a genuine commitment to those values — which creates dissonance. Sophia Hernandez, a transgender model and influencer finds the t-shirts, "very intriguing." She continues, "People are so quick to buy a shirt and show that they are aware that trans people exist and that we need to be protected however it still falls short." Hernandez says "One could say 'oh well when is it enough?' but that's the bare minimum. It's like showing support from a distance without putting in the action, like donating to trans women or getting involved in community work that helps us." 'People need to take action and remember that a shirt doesn't save my life,' says Hernandez. While proceeds from the shirt go to Trans Lifeline, a nonprofit offering phone support to transgender people in the U.S., questions remain about how much is actually donated and how those funds are distributed. Retailing at £75, the shirt has reportedly raised up to £380,000 for the organization Trans Lifeline, according to The Guardian. 'If you're going to be for the dolls, make sure it's going to the right organization, okay? Why don't you just do direct pay-stubs—we need help in America,' says popular trans influencer Veondre in a TikTok video. Another trans influencer, Devin Halbal, echoes the concern: 'You're 'protecting the dolls,' but how? And ask yourself this—why, as a doll, do I need to be protected in this society? Why am I, as a doll, not granted safety?' She continues, 'How are you, my allies, complicit in the very systems designed to exclude the dolls?' These concerns reveal a deeper tension: Awareness, on its own, doesn't necessarily lead to tangible support or meaningful change. Instead, it risks remaining purely symbolic rather than truly transformative — and worse, a little transactional. Ives, the designer of the shirt, says the T-shirt was a response to anti-trans policies put in place by Donald Trump, and in support of his trans friends. 'I never had that intention when I was doing it,' Ives says. 'I was just like 'This is what I want to say. This is what feels right' and it turned into something else.' Dee Harper, a transgender producer based in California describes the t-shirt as "lackluster" and has simplified the display of them as "performative." "The shirt is oddly insulting because most people aren't protecting the dolls physically, i.e., being on the forefront of us being in danger from assault, housing insecurity, and making sure we are getting safely from point A to point B — monetarily, and even formally with employment," she says. "Oftentimes I wonder if this protection is only accessible to white and light-skinned trans women?" she asks. "If they are the only ones who can pass through executive rooms, be on runways, or the face of all things trans. Who's protecting the dolls who live in hotel rooms for survival?" Harper leaves off with an important question: "Is it their oppressors who pay for their access and livelihood, or are their cis counterparts who call them fab?" Transgender people are over four times more likely than cisgender individuals to experience violent victimization—including rape, sexual assault, and aggravated assault—according to a study by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law. Households with transgender members also face higher rates of poverty and crime. This is the violence Ives alludes to when calling for the protection of transgender women. Transgender musician, Deevious claims that the shirt and the slogan, due to its virality have just become an "accessory." She continues, "Like most people especially gay men treat trans women like accessories for social capital or even to get into a party or rave for free." She compares it to the dichotomy that existed in the mainstream media in the early 2000s of how gay men were an "accessory to cis women." "Now our protection and safety is just an accessory but they can't do anything to help us," Deevious says. While the intention behind the message "Protect the Dolls" may be well-meaning—and even a reminder that, amid political attacks and legislative erasure, a marginalized group is being overlooked—it ultimately falls short. But in the face of rising trans-targeted assaults, discriminatory legislation, and social exclusion, the effectiveness of a T-shirt and a one-time donation as meaningful protection remains deeply limited. Without sustained allyship or broader calls to action, such symbolic gestures fall short of truly shielding transgender women from their everyday oppressors.
Telegraph
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
JK Rowling ‘hates men', claims Boy George in trans row
Boy George has accused JK Rowling of 'hating men' in a row over the definition of women. Rowling has become known for her gender-critical views, arguing that biological sex is what defines a woman. The Culture Club singer, 63, known for the hit Karma Chameleon, said of Rowling in a post on X: 'She hates men. This is where this truth lies. 'She cannot differentiate between a 'trans' woman and a biological male.' The singer was responding to a recent trend in which Hollywood stars have donned a T-shirt with the slogan 'Protect the Dolls'. Dolls refers to transgender women, and the slogan has been devised following the Supreme Court's ruling that 'woman' refers to an individual who is biologically female, which some campaigners claim is a threat to transgender people. The T-shirt has been worn by performers including Tilda Swinton and Pedro Pascal, who used his X account to brand Rowling a 'heinous loser'. George stated that Pascal disagreeing with Rowling did not mean he hated women, and added his claim that the Harry Potter author in fact hated men. Rowling responded to the claim, stating on X: 'I'm married to a man, George. I do not hate men. I simply live in reality where men – however they identify – commit 98% of sexual assaults, and 88% of victims are female. 'Trans-identified men are no less likely than other kinds of men to pose a risk to women or girls.' Ministry of Justice figures submitted to the Women and Equalities Select Committee showed that, as of 2020, there were 129 male-born prisoners identifying as transgender in the prison system. Of these, 76 had at least one conviction for a sexual offence, prompting campaigners including Fair Play for Women to warn of a male pattern of offending. This position led Rowling to support the campaign group For Women Scotland in their lengthy dispute with the Scottish government. The group had objected to the inclusion of trans people in gender quotas set by the government, and the dispute was sent to the Supreme Court. Following the Supreme Court ruling that transgender women are not legally women, Rowling posted a picture of herself smoking a cigar in celebration. She appeared to reference the A-Team in the post shared on X, captioning the photo 'I love it when a plan comes together', the words typically spoken by the cigar-smoking character Hannibal Smith.
Business of Fashion
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Business of Fashion
‘Protect the Dolls' T-Shirt Becomes a Fashion Symbol for Trans Rights
When the designer Conner Ives took his bow after his London fashion week show this February, he wore a T-shirt that proclaimed 'Protect the Dolls.' Two months later, the design — and its message supporting trans women, who are affectionately called 'dolls' in the LGBTQ+ community — has become ever more popular. The singer Troye Sivan wore it to perform at Coachella, and the actor Pedro Pascal wore it for the London premiere of the film Thunderbolts, just days after the supreme court ruled that when the Equality Act referred to women, it only meant biological sex and did not include transgender women. Ives initially saw the T-shirt as a one-off statement, but demand changed that. On sale on his website for £75 ($100), about 5,000 orders have been placed in the last month. With proceeds going to the American organisation Trans Lifeline, as of Thursday evening Ives estimated it had raised about £380,000, with 'that figure going up by the hour.' The designer, an American based in London, says the T-shirt was a response to anti-trans policies put in place by Donald Trump, and in support of trans friends including the model Hunter Pifer. Even he has been surprised by how popular it is. 'I never had that intention when I was doing it,' he says. 'I was just like 'this is what I want to say. This is what feels right' and it turned into something else.' At a protest in London last weekend against the supreme court decision, the slogan was used on signs, showing it now has life beyond T-shirts. 'I was discussing this with Myles [Markham], who works at Trans Lifeline,' says Ives. 'He was saying they didn't have their call to arms. He said, 'We finally have a message.'' Cliff Joannou, the editor-in-chief of Attitude magazine, says Sivan wearing the T-shirt was a crucial moment. 'Any time men from the gay community stand up for the trans community, it's a really important moment to celebrate,' he says. Nicky Josephine, who writes about trans issues for Vogue, agrees. 'What is most important is the fact that it's cis men that you've seen wearing it most,' she says. 'They both have connections to trans women so it's real allyship, there's nothing performative to it.' T-shirts have, of course, long provided a device to endorse causes or make statements. Joannou name-checks George Michael and his 'Choose Life' T-shirt in the 1980s, and Philip Normal's It's a Sin-inspired 'La.' T-shirt, which raised £20,000 in 24 hours for the Terrence Higgins Trust. Charlie Craggs, a trans activist and influencer, also makes T-shirts with statements in support of trans rights. She wore one to the Glamour awards in 2023, reading 'Transphobia Will Never Be Glamour,' referencing a moment in 'RuPaul's Drag Race.' 'Everyone else is wearing a pretty dress, and if you're wearing a white T-shirt with a few words, everyone in the room is reading it,' she says. 'It's a clever way of getting the message across really easily.' The simplicity of the statement on Ives's T-shirt is crucial — Craggs says its impact is instant. 'It's important to be political right now,' she adds. 'Even if it's not in front of cameras on a red carpet, it's just sitting in front of someone on the tube, people are going to be looking at what's written on your chest.' Ives says: 'I love that we can sell the T-shirts, but it's more than just that. The IP is what is popular, that's the most beautiful thing in the world.' By Lauren Cochrane Learn more: Why Genderless Fashion Is the Future Performance artist and designer Alok Menon argues that the fashion and beauty industries need to 'de-gender' fashion to better celebrate trans and nonbinary people.
The Guardian
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
‘Protect the Dolls' T-shirt becomes a fashion symbol for trans rights
When the designer Conner Ives took his bow after his London fashion week show this February, he wore a T-shirt that proclaimed 'Protect the Dolls'. Two months later, the design – and its message supporting trans women, who are affectionately called 'dolls' in the LGBTQ+ community – has become ever more popular. The singer Troye Sivan wore it to perform at Coachella, and the actor Pedro Pascal wore it for the London premiere of the film Thunderbolts, just days after the supreme court ruled that when the Equality Act referred to women, it only meant biological sex and did not include transgender women. Ives initially saw the T-shirt as a one-off statement, but demand changed that. On sale on his website for £75, about 5,000 orders have been placed in the last month. With proceeds going to the American organisation Trans Lifeline, as of Thursday evening Ives estimated it had raised about £380,000, with 'that figure going up by the hour'. The designer, an American based in London, says the T-shirt was a response to anti-trans policies put in place by Donald Trump, and in support of trans friends including the model Hunter Pifer. Even he has been surprised by how popular it is. 'I never had that intention when I was doing it,' he says. 'I was just like 'this is what I want to say. This is what feels right' and it turned into something else.' At a protest in London last weekend against the supreme court decision, the slogan was used on signs, showing it now has life beyond T-shirts. 'I was discussing this with Myles [Markham], who works at Trans Lifeline,' says Ives. 'He was saying they didn't have their call to arms. He said 'we finally have a message'.' Cliff Joannou, the editor-in-chief of Attitude magazine, says Sivan wearing the T-shirt was a crucial moment. 'Any time men from the gay community stand up for the trans community, it's a really important moment to celebrate,' he says. Nicky Josephine, who writes about trans issues for Vogue, agrees. 'What is most important is the fact that it's cis men that you've seen wearing it most,' she says. 'They both have connections to trans women so it's real allyship, there's nothing performative to it.' T-shirts have, of course, long provided a device to endorse causes or make statements. Joannou namechecks George Michael and his 'Choose Life' T-shirt in the 1980s, and Philip Normal's It's a Sin-inspired 'La.' T-shirt, which raised £20,000 in 24 hours for the Terrence Higgins Trust. Charlie Craggs, a trans activist and influencer, also makes T-shirts with statements in support of trans rights. She wore one to the Glamour awards in 2023, reading 'Transphobia Will Never Be Glamour', referencing a moment in RuPaul's Drag Race. 'Everyone else is wearing a pretty dress, and if you're wearing a white T-shirt with a few words, everyone in the room is reading it,' she says. 'It's a clever way of getting the message across really easily.' Sign up to Fashion Statement Style, with substance: what's really trending this week, a roundup of the best fashion journalism and your wardrobe dilemmas solved after newsletter promotion The simplicity of the statement on Ives's T-shirt is crucial – Craggs says its impact is instant. 'It's important to be political right now,' she adds. 'Even if it's not in front of cameras on a red carpet, it's just sitting in front of someone on the tube, people are going to be looking at what's written on your chest.' Ives says: 'I love that we can sell the T-shirts, but it's more than just that. The IP is what is popular, that's the most beautiful thing in the world.'
Time of India
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Pedro Pascal's t-shirt sends a powerful message of support for the trans community
twitter Actor Pedro Pascal recently made a strong statement on the red carpet—not through words, but through fashion. At the UK premiere of Marvel's Thunderbolts, Pascal wore a red T-shirt that said 'Protect the Dolls.' While the shirt may seem like a trendy item at first glance, it carries a much deeper meaning and personal connection for the actor. According to a report by HOLA! USA senior writer Daniel Neira, the T-shirt was created by American designer Conner Ives. The message, 'Protect the Dolls,' is a term used affectionately within the LGBTQ+ community to refer to transgender women. It serves as a call to action, urging people to stand up for and support trans women, especially during a time when they face increased hostility and political attacks in various parts of the world. Pedro Pascal's appearance in this shirt wasn't just a fashion choice. The actor has been a long-time supporter of trans rights, particularly since his sister, Lux Pascal, publicly came out as transgender in 2021. Ever since then, Pedro has used his platform to advocate for acceptance and equality. His recent outfit is being viewed as another sign of his ongoing support for the trans community. Designer Conner Ives shared that the idea for the T-shirt came from his concerns about the rising political threats to trans people, especially in the U.S. He said that he could no longer ignore the situation, especially since many of the models in his fashion shows are trans women, and he has close friends who are directly affected. Other celebrities have also been seen wearing the same shirt. Singer Troye Sivan wore it at Coachella, while social media star Addison Rae also posted photos of herself wearing it. Even Florence Pugh praised Pedro Pascal's gesture during an interview with MTV UK. A key feature of this campaign is that part of the money made from selling the T-shirt goes to a nonprofit group called Trans Lifeline. This organization is run by and for transgender people, providing support through crisis hotlines and other essential services. The goal is to offer real help to a community that often faces discrimination and a lack of resources. Pedro Pascal's choice to wear the shirt, especially on such a public stage, shows that he's using his fame for a cause that matters deeply to him. It was not just about fashion—it was about family, human rights, and showing support when it's needed most. Stay updated with the latest Best Hindi Movies , Best Tamil Movies , Best Telugu Movies , Best english Movies , Best Malayalam Movies
