Pedro Pascal made a visible statement at the London premiere of Thunderbolts, wearing a shirt that reads “Protect the Dolls” on the red carpet at Cineworld Leicester Square. The appearance came shortly after the UK Supreme Court ruled that the legal definition of “woman” is based on biological sex, a decision that allows for the exclusion of transgender women from single-sex spaces.
The phrase on Pascal’s shirt originates from designer Conner Ives, whose piece was first introduced at London Fashion Week. In LGBTQIA+ communities, “dolls” is a term often used to refer to transgender women. Ives created the shirt as a response to recent political developments in the United States. In a statement to The New York Times, the designer said, “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.”
Pascal, who turned 50 earlier this month, first wore the shirt during his birthday celebration on April 6. The shirt reappeared on him at the Thunderbolts premiere, drawing attention to its message during an event tied to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
He has previously expressed support for transgender rights, including through posts on social media. One post earlier this year read, “A world without trans people has never existed and never will.” He also pinned a user comment that read, “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.”
The actor’s advocacy has also included personal connections. His sister, Lux Pascal, came out as a transgender woman in 2021. Since then, Pedro Pascal has used his public profile to back issues related to gender identity and rights.
Online reaction to his appearance at the London premiere included posts from LGBTQIA+ users and allies, who expressed appreciation for his decision to wear the shirt. “Pedro Pascal is an example of making the right person famous,” one Reddit user wrote. Another added, “It is good to see even a small show of support for us at this time.”
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Proceeds from the sale of the “Protect the Dolls” shirt are directed to Trans Lifeline, an organization that provides resources and support to transgender individuals. Ives’s design has reportedly raised $250,000 so far. Other public figures who have worn the shirt include musician Troye Sivan and actress Addison Rae.
The UK court ruling has generated criticism from activists and public figures. The legal decision affirms that transgender women can be excluded from single-sex facilities, even if they hold gender recognition certificates. The ruling has prompted demonstrations in the UK and criticism from international observers. Nicola Coughlan, known for roles in Bridgerton and Derry Girls, described the ruling as “disgusting” in a social media post earlier this month.
Pascal’s participation in the London premiere marked his latest public appearance tied to Thunderbolts, where he stars alongside Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, and David Harbour. He is also preparing for a lead role in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, where he will portray Reed Richards.
Beyond film appearances, Pascal has remained active across platforms with projects that include major roles in The Last of Us and previous work on Game of Thrones and Narcos. His crossover appeal in both television and theatrical releases has made him a recurring figure at global promotional events.
The UK screening of Thunderbolts served as a launch point for the film’s rollout in international markets. The Marvel Studios title expands the studio’s storyline into darker territory, with a focus on morally complex characters from earlier phases of the cinematic franchise.
