At the London premiere of Thunderbolts, Pedro Pascal entered the Marvel Cinematic Universe not just as a new face in the franchise, but as a vocal advocate for transgender rights. His message came emblazoned in bold letters on a white T-shirt: “Protect the Dolls,” a phrase that has become a shorthand in trans and queer communities for supporting trans women.
Pascal’s outfit quickly drew attention not for its styling, but for its statement — a visible and public display of allyship. The phrase has cultural resonance, particularly among LGBTQ+ communities, and his decision to wear it on a major red carpet placed that message in the global spotlight.
Why It Matters
Pascal’s public display of support comes at a time when trans rights are under increasing political and cultural scrutiny across the globe. With anti-trans legislation advancing in various countries and trans people continuing to face discrimination and violence, some well-known names are using public moments to speak out.
The phrase “Protect the Dolls,” rooted in queer vernacular, has emerged as a rallying cry among trans women and allies. Its appearance on Pascal’s shirt at a major international event gave the message a powerful platform.
What to Know
Pascal, 50, will join the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Reed Richards in the upcoming movie The Fantastic Four: First Steps. In recent years, Pascal’s popularity as soared following his role as Joel Miller in HBO’s The Last of Us. Since then, some of his major credit have included Gladiator II, The Mandalorian and Game of Thrones. He also recently appeared in a sketch in the SNL50 special.
Pascal’s appearance at the London premiere on Monday wasn’t only notable for the buzz around the film and his upcoming work with Marvel. It also marked another public moment in Pascal’s support for his sister, Lux, who came out as transgender in 2021.
What Does “Protect the Dolls” Mean?
The phrase “Protect the Dolls” is associated with supporting transgender women. According to People, the shirt was part of a campaign by by American designer Conner Ives. The term “dolls” refers to an affectionate term within the LGBTQ+ community to refer to transgender women.
Conner Ives’ website states that proceeds from the shirt benefit Trans Lifeline, a nonprofit providing crisis support for transgender individuals. The shirt was introduced shortly after President Donald Trump declared that the federal government would legally define gender as strictly male or female, reported USA Today.
Why Is Pedro Pascal an Advocate for Transgender Rights?
Pedro Pascal’s support for trans rights isn’t new. He has been a visible and vocal ally for several years, particularly since his sister Lux came out as transgender in 2021. His allyship has included public social media support and consistent use of his platform to amplify messages of acceptance.
In February 2021, Pascal posted a photo of Lux on Instagram with the caption: “Mi hermana, mi corazón, nuestra Lux.” According to People, the message was widely interpreted as a declaration of love and affirmation. His continued public support — including at red carpet events—reflects a deeply personal commitment.
More recently this past February, Pascal posted a photo of a sign on his Instagram that reads, “A world without trans people has never existed and never will.”
Who Is Pedro Pascal’s Sister, Lux?
Lux Pascal is Pedro Pascal’s younger sister and a rising actress and transgender activist. Born on June 4, 1992, in Orange County, California, Lux was raised in Chile after her family returned there following their exile during the Pinochet dictatorship. She studied theater in Chile and later earned an MFA from the Juilliard School in New York City in 2023, reported People.
Lux came out publicly as a transgender woman in February 2021 in a cover story for Ya magazine, revealing she had begun hormone therapy the year before. In the interview, she said her family had been supportive throughout, calling her transition “something that’s very natural for everyone in my family.”
Pedro Pascal has been openly supportive of Lux, posting on Instagram at the time: “Mi hermana, mi corazón, nuestra Lux” (“My sister, my heart, our Lux”). Lux shared that he was one of the first people she came out to, and described him as someone who gifted her “the tools that started shaping my identity.”
Her acting credits include roles in the series Narcos, La Jauría, and La California, as well as multiple theater productions. She has also joined Pedro at several high-profile events, including his film premieres and award ceremonies.
What People Are Saying
An X user named @StrewthQueen posted: “Now lads, what are we actually doing to protect the dolls”
A Reddit user named u/sugg28 posted: “Pedro Pascal is an example of making the right person famous. He consistently speaks up and uses his platform – and he just seems so bloody lovely too.”
Another Reddit user named u/Rootbeercutiebooty posted: “Pedro Pascal is such an icon. I honestly love seeing him stand by his sister and the trans community. I feel like a lot of celebrities have zero back bone these days.”
What’s Next
Thunderbolts is set for release on May 2 while Fantastic Four: First Steps is set to release on July 25.
With Pedro Pascal’s public stance now making waves in both the entertainment world and LGBTQ+ advocacy circles, the actor seems poised to use his growing influence not just for roles, but for representation.
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