Across the chests of a plethora of major celebrities stand these words: Protect the Dolls.

From Addison Rae to Pedro Pascal, celebrities have been popping up with simple black text on white tees stating their support for the transgender movement with just this simple phrase. These shirts, which first popped up in February 2025, were designed by Connor Ives who says the proceeds go to the Trans Lifeline.

It set off a monumental movement of public support for transgender people in a time where the U.S. government is targeting and attacking trans rights. But to some, the movement signals an upsetting trend in activism—performance. Critics have called the shirts performative, unhelpful, and too “quiet” in their support, claiming they exclude everyone but a very limited interpretation of trans people.

Why does the phrase “protect the dolls” ring so hollow for some?

The term “dolls” originated from the queer ballroom scene of the 1980s by black and brown trans women.  Doll was an aspirational image of femininity, a term of endearment for those in the community. As “doll” was taken by the mainstream movement, not everybody in the community felt comfortable. To them, using “doll” was an empty gesture that lacked bravery.

Would a t-shirt that said “protect trans women” blown up the same way? Or was the use of the word “doll” necessary to create an image of a more “palatable” trans-women that needed protecting? A doll is a very limited view of womanhood. After all, a doll is all plastic and perfection, not something real.

To those outside of the community, it is an image of a toy, something that can be used and played with—the marketable version of trans activism. Doll, when used by those who did not create the term, can feel like a form of objectification for some trans women. Using “doll” also creates a level of disconnection for those who are not familiar with or don’t resonate with the term. To them, the shirt may not even connect to the trans movement.

While the shirt may ring hollow as an activism tool for some, it is impossible to deny the positives.

The shirt has raised more than $600,000 for the Trans Lifeline, which is the first trans-run crisis hotline in the U.S. and the only hotline with a fully transgender staff. Countless celebrities have shown their support, starting a wave of exposure and public awareness in the media. This type of attention is vital under an administration that has consistently targeted trans rights.

Since his inauguration, Donald Trump has signed a plethora of anti-trans executive orders. Some of these include restrictions on gender affirming care, denying passports and restrictions for trans girls in sports. With the consistent attacks against the community under this administration, it is clear that everybody needs to speak up about the cause. So, can more be done than just repeating marketable slogans?

In what ways can we “protect the dolls” besides wearing a t-shirt?

Employing them, for starters. Many trans women speak about their lack of opportunity and stability for employment. In an interview with Glamour Magazine, model Ceval Omar says, “I think it should, first and foremost, be ‘pay the dolls’ because there’s no protection like having stability and having money to secure yourself with housing and hormones and all these things. So, ‘paying the dolls’, I think, is very important, even when you think of protecting the dolls. And next is showing up for them in rooms and spaces where they’re not present.” 

The dolls can protect themselves, as long as they are fully compensated for the contributions they give to culture and the world at large.

Next, we need to make sure our activism includes all trans and gender nonconforming people. “Dolls” solely focuses on trans women. Elío Bailey, a trans man in Kent, talked about his views on the “dolls” being centered in activism.

“While trans women are definitely more targeted, trans men are too. Trans women built our community, they did so much for us. So I understand ‘protect the dolls,'” he said, “but it forgets everyone else in the community: trans men, nonbinary people…It would just be nice to have a more inclusive phrase that included all of us.”

It is important to recognize the community as a whole has been targeted, and every trans person needs our support.

As activists, it is vital to support by being alongside the cause, letting trans people speak for themselves, and amplify their voices when needed. While “protect the dolls” is a great start, we can’t let it be the end of our activism and support for the trans community.