Actor Don Cheadle hosted on Saturday Night Live (SNL) last night, 16 February. Many noticed the slogan on the t-shirt he was wearing — ‘Protect Trans Kids.’
While Cheadle did not say anything about the t-shirt, this was still a powerful statement.
Positive Reactions
People on Twitter were excited to see Cheadle’s support.
Don Cheadle on Saturday Night Live.
One of the good guys.#ProtectTransKids pic.twitter.com/ZKviMarS4v— Greg Hogben (@MyDaughtersArmy) February 17, 2019
Don Cheadle, hosting “Saturday Night Live” this week #snl #protecttranskids pic.twitter.com/RBbyyKWmZL
— Christopher Pepper (@mrhealthteacher) February 17, 2019
.@DonCheadle thank you for your performance on Saturday Night Live & lifelong gratitude for your support of transkids. This old transman knows how a shoutout from a hero can & will save tender lives anytime, but especially during Der dread Trümpenreich. #ProtectTransKids https://t.co/aVqZUatOQN
— A Toone ⚧ (@AndersonToone) February 17, 2019
@DonCheadle Thank you for raising awareness and being an ally. I’m the parent of a wonderful trans kid and this means the world to me. ❤ pic.twitter.com/M46ccxp5K7
— Kathy Riley (@mckelly64) February 17, 2019
@DonCheadle I loved the shirt man, thank you for doing that, my son is a trans man and seeing people step up for these kids rights and safety is a wonderful thing
— night of the dogs (@cthulhumachine) February 17, 2019
I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t like kids, but trans kids need all our support. School is bad enough as it is (bullying, drug dealing, who knows what). We need to stand up for these kids ’cause (being KIDS) they can’t stand up for themselves the way an adult can.
— Me_myself_and_I_1885 (@MelaK96) February 17, 2019
Hey @DonCheadle you’re awesome and that Protect Trans Kids shirt was amazing. We need more people with influence to speak out like you do.
— Dennis (@wyldemoose39) February 17, 2019
Hello just came online to say Don Cheadle wearing a protect trans kids shirt !!!! Amazing! beautiful! outstanding! nothing but respect for MY James Rupert Rhodes !!!!!!
— vri (@carolsrhodey) February 17, 2019
Thank you @DonCheadle for stand up for trans kids!
— ← Left Coast Liberal 🏳️🌈 (@C2CLiberal) February 17, 2019
Negative Reactions
However, not everyone was happy. Some even questioned what it meant to be a ‘trans kid’ and implied that letting kids be themselves is ‘normalizing child abuse.’
Saturday Night Live, MSM, Don Cheadle are trying to normalize child abuse and exploitation with #TransKids nonsense created by adults.
We must speak out and not be silent while kids childhoods are stolen.#LetKidsBeKids
What’s next? 9 year old boys dancing in gay strip clubs? https://t.co/Lcz4XCMEAe
— Jimerican 🇺🇸🏴☠️🔁 Trump Responded with Q Code (@JimericanTweets) February 17, 2019
Don Cheadle’s “protect trans kids” shirt makes me sad.
Of course we should protect ALL kids. But part of protecting children should be letting children be children. Being or becoming trans is a very ADULT concept and decision.
— Question Everything (@notgroupthink) February 17, 2019
Don Cheadle’s ‘protect Trans kids’ t-shirt won a lot of praise from SNL viewers
Sure, Don. Let’s take them away from their idiot parents before they allow their child to do irreversible harm to their bodies.https://t.co/uek11NH4d4
— The Smokeshow Thē Andrew Bello (@BelloBeingBello) February 17, 2019
Anything else?
Since Donald Trump became president, LGBTI rights — specifically trans rights — have come under fire. The Trump Administration was successful in banning trans troops from the United States military. With Trump’s focus on the Mexico-America border wall, he is actively harming LGBTI refugees, many of which are transgender. Additionally, since Trump became president, hate crimes against LGBTI people have tripled in Washington DC.
See also:
South Dakota passes anti-trans bill banning gender discussion in schools
This webshow educates kids about the LGBTI community
Members of Congress meet with parents of trans kids to discuss Equality Act