Madonna stands up for trans rights with ‘Protect the Dolls’ T-shirt
Madonna is an outspoken LGBTQ+ rights advocate. (Getty)
Madonna is an outspoken LGBTQ+ rights advocate. (Getty)
Madonna has donned a ‘Protect the Dolls’ T-shirt in her latest stand for trans rights.
Fashion designer Conner Ives’ ‘Protect the Dolls’ T-shirt, which he wore to close his London Fashion Week collection, raises money to support trans people.
The term ‘dolls’ is typically used as an informal descriptor for trans women or transfeminine non-binary people. It first emerged as part of 1980s Ballroom culture, coined by Black, Latina, and non-white trans women, as an affirming descriptor of femininity and unrelenting confidence.
Taking to X on Thursday (29 May), Madonna shared a photo of herself wearing the T-shirt, which she paired with a diamond necklace and a rosary chain that draped over it.
Protect the Dolls! @HRC pic.twitter.com/oSSsmeqZoc
— Madonna (@Madonna) May 29, 2025
The pop icon’s post has been viewed more than 800,000 times and follows her speaking out in support of the LGBTQ+ community after decrying Donald Trump’s anti-trans executive orders.
The Last of Us actor, Pedro Pascal, also wore a “Protect The Dolls” T-shirt in solidarity with trans people facing discrimination across the globe.
Pascal wore the T-shirt during his 50th birthday celebration, where he was joined by his sister Lux Pascal, who is trans, and trans DJ Honey Dijon.
Australian singer Troye Sivan, Addison Rae and Tilda Swinton have also all been spotted sporting the ‘Protect the Dolls’ T-shirts.
Ives, the designer of the now-viral t-shirt, has confirmed that all proceeds from the T-shirt, which costs £75 ($99), will go to Trans Lifeline, a US-based and trans-led charity organisation which provides emotional and financial support for trans people.
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