Mariah Carey wore a “Protect the Dolls” jacket at Brighton Pride 2025, showing powerful support for trans women and the movement behind it…
Mariah Carey showed up to Brighton Pride and didn’t just perform. She showed up with a message, dressed in a custom jacket reading “Protect the Dolls,” styled in the soft blue, pink, and white of the transgender pride flag. It wasn’t performative, it was pure allyship at its finest. In a time when trans rights are still under attack across the globe, Carey reminded everyone watching that words, clothes, and visibility still matter, and more importantly that pride still, and always will be, a protest.
What Is the “Protect the Dolls” movement?
“Protect the Dolls” began as a grassroots fashion statement earlier this year, and was created by designer Conner Ives. The phrase uses “doll,” a term of affection rooted in queer and ballroom culture, as a way to affirm and protect trans women.
The message first appeared on a white T-shirt during London Fashion Week and quickly gained momentum. Celebrities including Pedro Pascal, Troye Sivan, and Charli XCX wore the shirt at red carpet events, festivals, and photo shoots. It became a visible symbol of trans solidarity.
All proceeds from the campaign support Trans Lifeline, a peer-run nonprofit providing crisis support and microgrants to trans people in need. The campaign has already raised more than $190,000, and visibility is key in the continued generation of funds that could literally help save lives.
What Mariah Carey’s Pride look said without saying a word
Mariah Carey has a long history of supporting LGBTQ+ rights. Her fanbase includes generations of queer people who have seen her as more than a pop icon — she’s been a symbol of survival, resilience, and glamour on one’s own terms. She’s a true gay icon, who has stayed consistent throughout the years, never wavering.
Wearing the “Protect the Dolls” jacket wasn’t for clout or a marketing move. It was a continuation of a decades-long relationship with the queer community that Mariah holds dear. And this time, she used her platform to shine a spotlight specifically on trans women — a group often celebrated in queer spaces but still targeted politically and socially. In today’s political climate, anyone who challenges the far-right status quo or takes a stand for human rights risks becoming a target of intolerance and ‘cancellation’ from a large group of people opposed to that kind of protest. In a world where human rights are political, this is a reminder that no, it’s actually not. It’s survival.
What happened at Brighton Pride 2025
Carey headlined Brighton Pride’s annual Pride in the Park event on August 2. She wore a shimmering mini dress in the colors of the transgender flag, layered under the now-viral pink denim jacket. During her performance of Type Dangerous, she turned around to reveal the back of the jacket. The message read clearly: PROTECT THE DOLLS.
The crowd erupted. Videos of the moment spread across Instagram, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter), gaining millions of views within hours.
After the show, Carey thanked the audience online:
“Thank you so much @PrideBrighton for having me tonight! A special heartfelt thank you to the LGBTQ+ community for your ongoing support. I will always be there for you.”
The deeper meaning behind “Protect the Dolls”
The phrase isn’t just about fashion. It’s a call to action. It asks people to defend the safety, dignity, and joy of trans women in a world that often treats them as disposable.
As anti-trans legislation continues to roll out across the U.S. and U.K., this phrase has become more than a message. It’s a boundary. It tells the world who is worth protecting, and why staying silent is not an option.
The success of the campaign proves that the fashion world, the entertainment industry, and everyday people are all ready to push back — loudly, visually, and with purpose.
How you can support the movement
- Buy the shirt or merchandise from the original campaign on Conner Ives’ official channels. Proceeds go directly to Trans Lifeline.
- Share and amplify the message through your own platforms. Visibility matters.
- Donate directly to organizations like Trans Lifeline, For the Gworls, and other trans-led initiatives.
- Speak up in your own circles when trans people are being erased or targeted. Advocacy starts locally.
This wasn’t just a fashion moment.
Mariah Carey showed up, and shut down the stage. In a world flooded with fake allyship and surface-level branding, she made it personal. She didn’t just sing to the community. She spoke to it. She is consistent, and continually showcasing her support for our community.
The jacket said what needed to be said — loudly, clearly, and without compromise. No one needs to step out and share support for anyone, but she did it effortlessly, with thought and courage. These are the fighters we need on the main stage, and she did not let us down. Trans erasure is in full effect, and it’s time to write in permanent marker.
READ MORE: Fashion meets activism: The rise of Conner Ives’ “Protect the Dolls” T-shirt – (29Secrets.com)
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