Protect the Dolls. A simple white T-shirt with this three-word slogan has been making its rounds across social media. From Coachella to red carpets, celebrities have been spotted in the understated tee, and fans are eagerly recreating the look. Behind its minimalist design, however, lies a much louder, more powerful message.
This shirt, though seemingly unremarkable, actually represents something so much bigger. A simple slogan has created a sensation, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars to support trans rights. With help from major celebrities like Troye Sivan and Pedro Pascal, this T-shirt is more than just a piece of clothing. It’s a powerful statement and declaration of support toward the trans community.
Runway roots: the story behind the shirt’s creation
The shirt, created by queer fashion designer Conner Ives, had its premiere in February 2025, the night before Ives’ runway show at London Fashion Week. A not-so-glamorous creation, he fashioned the original tee using a white shirt from unsold inventory and heat-based transfer paper.
Ives strolled down the runway at the close of his show, sporting the shirt himself to show his support for the trans community. Pulling the shirt taut to ensure his message was clear, he quite literally said it with his chest.
The 29-year-old, American-born designer has been a vocal supporter of the trans community. Working with sustainable and upcycled materials, Ives is best known for his innovative approach to fashion. It’s fitting then that he made the shirt spontaneously the night before the runway from spare materials.
“I’ve always very purposely steered away from the concept of fashion as politics or politics as fashion…I always thought that what I had to say was in the looks and in the press release, basically,” he said in an interview with Vogue. “But there was a shift in the last six months where that level of compartmentalization just didn’t feel relevant anymore.”
In that same interview, Ives shared that he discussed the concept and phrasing with trans model Hunter Pifer. The two have collaborated often, with Pifer frequently walking for Ives, including in his LFW show.
Decoding the doll: trans slang and cultural power
The T-shirt sends a clear message, using popular trans slang in its now iconic slogan. What does the term “dolls” really mean, though, and what is its history with the community?
“Doll” is an informal term of endearment directed toward trans women or transfeminine people. Although the word is more expansive in its modern-day usage, people often use it as a nod to a trans person’s innate femininity.
Originating from the 1970s ballroom scene in New York City, its original use was as a code word to help trans women acknowledge their identity. Like many other forms of queer slang, Black and Latinx queer people popularized the term. They primarily used it at the time to describe a certain type of hyperfemininity.
Although this T-shirt is just a simple slogan tee, it strikes at a deeper history. Queer history often intersects with fashion. Queer people have long used clothes to express their identities when they couldn’t safely do so themselves.
The fashion industry has strong ties to the LGBTQ+ community. This shirt, and its explicit call for protection for the trans community, represents this deep intersecting history. It’s not just what the shirt says but what it means. It’s more than just a show of support; it’s a call for action to help a vulnerable community.
From Pedro to Troye: How celebrities amplified the message
Although Ives’ T-shirt started to make its way around social media upon his initial display of the garment, it wasn’t until some much beloved celebrity figures began wearing the shirt that its impact became seismic.
Actor Pedro Pascal first wore the tee to his 50th birthday celebration in March, posing alongside trans DJ Honey Dijon. Pascal is a vocal supporter of the trans community. His gesture was especially personal as his sister, Lux Pascal, is a trans woman and activist.
In the comments of his Instagram post sharing a pro-trans quote, Pedro Pascal pinned a comment of his own after receiving many hateful comments. He wrote, “I can’t think of anything more vile and small and pathetic than terrorizing the smallest, most vulnerable community of people who want nothing from you, except the right to exist.”
He later wore the shirt again on the red carpet at the U.K. premiere of Marvel’s Thunderbolts* in April. Paired with a simple trench coat over top, Pascal ensured his support for the community could be heard loud and clear.
Troye Sivan sported a cropped version of the tee during a surprise Coachella appearance alongside Charli XCX during her set, performing in front of thousands. The two later shared a photo posing alongside Billie Eilish and Lorde, where Troye’s shirt and its message are clearly visible. Within hours of Troye’s performance with Charli, over 200 shirts had sold, and the moment went viral on social media.
Other celebrities like Charli XCX, Haider Ackermann, Addison Rae, Lisa Rinna, David Tennant, and Tilda Swinton have also worn the shirt since then. The combined celebrity influence created an incredible amount of exposure for the T-shirt, increasing donations and contributing to a larger conversation.
Profits with purpose: supporting Trans Lifeline
You might be thinking how a simple T-shirt can truly make an impact. Is this just another case of performative activism, slapping a phrase on a T-shirt and calling it social action?
However, this isn’t just lazy virtue signaling. Ives, upon learning of the popularity of his shirt across social media, actually decided to start producing and selling the trending clothing item. He and his team are donating all proceeds from the sales of the tee to Trans Lifeline, a U.S.-based, trans-led nonprofit organization.
Trans Lifeline describes itself as being “for the trans community, by the trans community.” They offer emotional and financial support, connecting trans people to the community and resources they need to thrive.
For a decade, we've supported trans liberation through direct services, program design, and advocacy. In 2025, we'll expand our hotline, recruit volunteers, advocate for policy change, and reinstate microgrants. Join us in building a future where trans people thrive. 💪💖
— Trans Lifeline (@TransLifeline) December 26, 2024
The organization launched in 2014 in response to the suicide epidemic in the trans community. Trans Lifeline aims to provide peer support to trans people through their crisis hotline. They have dispersed nearly $1.5 million in funds through their microgrants program.
Ives’ slogan tee has already raised over $300,000 for the organization, and the number only continues to grow. Although the shirt has become a viral rallying cry, it’s not just a temporary trend under the guise of activism. Ives and his shirt have done the work and made a real change.
Visibility and action: beyond the shirt
Trans rights are human rights, but in both the U.S. and the U.K., those rights are increasingly under attack. There’s anti-trans legislation in American statehouses banning gender-affirming care and restricting bathroom access. The U.K. government is attempting to roll back protections and redefine what it means to be transgender. Trans people are being targeted at a systemic level. These policies don’t just restrict freedom—they threaten lives.
Trans people, particularly trans women of color, face disproportionately high rates of violence, homelessness, unemployment, and suicide. According to The Trevor Project, more than half of transgender and nonbinary youth in the U.S. seriously considered suicide in the past year. These statistics aren’t just numbers. They reflect a society failing some of its most vulnerable members.
That’s what makes this shirt more than just a fashion moment. It’s a symbol that has cut through algorithm-driven apathy and brought urgent trans issues into the cultural spotlight. The tee isn’t just being worn—it’s being seen. It’s been on red carpets, festival stages, and social media feeds worldwide. It’s made space for a conversation that many have tried to silence. It was born from scraps and has raised hundreds of thousands for direct support. This is proof that impact doesn’t always require perfection; it requires purpose.
If you’re looking to support beyond just buying the shirt, consider donating directly to trans-led organizations like Trans Lifeline, The Trevor Project, or Gender Spectrum. Support trans creators. Educate yourself and those around you. Speak up when it’s easier to stay silent.
Because protecting the dolls means protecting people. And everyone deserves the right to exist safely, visibly, and proudly.
