Gay icon Jane Krakowski speaks out against Trump attacks on trans kids

30 Rock star and bona fide gay icon Jane Krakowski is speaking out against the Donald Trump administration’s attacks on transgender youth.

The seven-time Emmy Award nominee, 57, appeared at the Human Rights Campaign’s (HRC) 2026 Greater New York Dinner on 7 February, where she was awarded the Ally for Equality Award by the organisation. 

Across her near five-decade career, the actress has spoken out in support of the LGBTQ+ community on numerous occasions, and has earned a staunch queer following in response.

Taking to the stage to accept the accolade, Krakowski shared a moving story about how her LGBTQ+ advocacy began during the AIDS crisis, and expressed her sadness at the government continuing to “turn its back on” LGBTQ+ people, particularly trans youth.

Beginning her speech, Krakowski opened up about her early connection with the queer community, which started when her father directed a local production of the musical Godspell in New Jersey. She had “a crush” on the actor playing Jesus.

“I thought I had found God. What I actually had found was an early enduring attraction to queer people and an exciting new form of rejection,” she joked.

“Even then, before I had language for it, I was drawn to something in this community. The creativity, the fearlessness, the refusal to apologise for taking up space or expressing yourself fully,” she said.

Her Broadway debut came in 1987 with Starlight Express, during the height of the AIDS crisis suffocating New York’s queer community.

“Friends were getting sick, cast mates were vanishing overnight. We were all terrible and the government didn’t care… there was no choice for me but to be an ally and forever an advocate to this community,” she explained. 

“When the people you love are fighting for your lives, you fight alongside them.”

The actress, who recently starred in Broadway’s Tony Award-winning queer farce Oh, Mary!, urged that Trump’s government is now “actively attacking” the queer community, rather than simply ignoring it.

“Once again, we’re living in very terrifying times. Here we are, 2026, and the government has again turned its back on this community. Even worse, they’re actively attacking it,” she said.

“Trans kids are being targeted by legislation designed to erase them. Books are being ripped off from library shelves. Hate speech is being amplified by those in power fuelling rising hate crimes,” she continued.

Since his return to the White House last January, Trump has enacted numerous legislative orders designed to roll back freedoms for LGBTQ+ people, particularly trans folk. These orders include restricting gender-affirming healthcare for trans youth under the age of 19, and preventing trans women and girls from competing in women’s sports.

Meanwhile, the list of the most-banned books in America continues to prominently feature LGBTQ+ authors and stories.

Just yesterday (10 February), Trump ordered the Pride flag to be removed from the Stonewall National Monument in New York, causing outrage.

“I am watching this community respond with the same defiance, with the same solidarity and the same insistence on being seen that I first witnessed all those years ago,” Krakowski said.

“You refused to be silent when the government turned its back. You refuse to hide when the world tells you to be ashamed. You refuse to stop making art, making history and making your lives full and loud.”

The Tony Award winner went on to call on her fellow celebrity allies to speak up for the community.

“From those of us who have benefited from this community, and that is every single one of us, now is the time to show up,” she urged, to applause from the audience.

In 2021, Krakowski spoke to PinkNews about her enduring love for her queer fans, calling the affection the community has for her an “honour”.

“I feel like I centre on that audience when I am choosing what roles to play and how I want to bring out the humour in a role. I’m always thrilled with the appreciation from that audience, so I feel like I kind of mould things based on my appreciation of that following,” she said.

“It’s always with the knowledge of wanting to please and appreciate and entertain that community.”

Share your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.