At the UK premiere of Marvel Studios’ upcoming Thunderbolts movie, Pedro Pascal, who will be joining the MCU as Mister Fantastic in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, showed his support for trans rights by wearing a “Protect the Dolls” T-shirt. Pascal’s choice of apparel at the London event, held on Tuesday, April 22, has since begun a discussion on the internet, with many fans curious about the meaning behind his T-shirt’s phrase.
Here’s everything you need to know about Pedro Pascal’s “Protect the Dolls” T-shirt.
Pedro Pascal wears ‘Protect the Dolls’ T-shirt at Thunderbolts premiere
Pedro Pascal wore a special T-shirt at Thunderbolts’ UK premiere to show his support for trans rights. The Last of Us star proudly wore a “Protect the Dolls” T-shirt, conceptualized by renowned designer Conner Ives. The term “Dolls” is used to refer to transgender women.
Pascal has a long history of voicing support for marginalized people within the LGBTQ+ community. Notably, the actor’s sister, Lux Pascal, is a transgender woman, and he has invited Lux to a number of red carpet events, showing his support for her ever since she made her transition public in February 2021.
The “Protect the Dolls” apparel, like the one worn by Pedro Pascal, was started by Conner Ives to bring attention to the importance of trans rights. Explaining the inspiration behind this unique design, Ives noted in an interview with The New York Times, “In the modern day, what is more ubiquitous than the graphic T-shirt? It was very reactive. I knew I wanted to say something, given what we’ve observed in the last few months with the U.S. government and the current political regime.”
Multiple celebrities, including Pedro Pascal and Troye Sivan, have endorsed Ives’ “Protect the Dolls” campaign. The earnings from this campaign will go to a trans rights organization titled Trans Lifeline.
