Modern Day Activists of the LGBTQIA+ Community:

Who are they and what do they stand for?

Top Left to Bottom Right: Pedro Pascal and sister Lux Pascal, Jonathan Bailey, Sabrina Carpenter, and Chappell Roan [IMDB Images]

Queer activism was born from the discrimination against individuals based on their sexual and gender orientation. Historically, we have seen brave people step forward in the face of hardship to fight for the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community. From Stonewall to the Lavender Scare, we have seen a constant mistreatment of and within the community that, in turn, inspired many to step forward and speak out.

Sylvia Rivera, Marsha P. Johnson, James Baldwin, Harvey Milk, and Bayard Rustin are just a few examples of individuals who fought their entire lives despite the fear of repercussions.

After all the time that has passed, and with all the work that’s been put in, trans and queer people still seem to find themselves mistreated. Not only are our rights as people on the line, but misinformation and right-wing ideologies are growing in our society. More kids are staying in the closet or suffering from suicide ideation, while queer adults are worried about their right to same-sex marriage. Trans kids are on the line, and gender affirming care is being limited in many states.

However, with the rise of hate comes a new era of activists.

Celebrities, artists, actors, you name it, are coming forward in support of the trans and queer community.

Actor Jonathan Bailey is widely known for his work in Bridgerton, Wicked (the movie), Fellow Travellers, and other award-winning films. However, what some might not know is that Bailey is also a large activist for the LGBT+ community, working as an ambassador for Just Like Us, and is a member of the queer community. Just Like Us is a UK charity that brings gay and trans representation into schools, with the intention of helping kids and starting the conversation that it’s okay to be queer.

Along with this, Bailey is rummored to be taking a break from acting to focus on the LGBTQIA+ foundation he founded, The Shameless Fun. With goals to raise money “through global brand collaborations to power up international, national and grassroots non-profits, to forge a world where every lgbtq+ person can live authentically, love freely and thrive without the burdens of discrimination, oppression or shame.”

Like Bailey, Chappell Roan recently founded the Midwest Princess Project in hopes of providing resources and support for trans youth within the queer community. Not only has this foundation already raised $400,000 from pop-up shows and other fundraisers, but it has also been able to provide resources for many helpful organizations like Glo, The Center Project, Trans Wellness Center, TransLatin @ Coalition, The Ali Forney Center, and The Center.

As Roan has put it, “Trans people have always existed, and they will forever exist, and they will never, no matter what happens, take trans joy away. That has to be protected more than anything.”

Which is exactly what she aims to protect through the help of The Midwest Princess foundation, which you can follow and support now on Instagram.

Actor Pedro Pascal is among these stars who use their voice on and off screen, supporting queer people, minorities, and people of color.

If you take a look at any of his social media accounts, you can easily find where he stands on topics such as abortion, trans rights, LGBTQIA+ rights, and immigration. Along with his consistent and positive voice, he finds other ways to protest those who continue to spread hate. He was seen wearing and partly behind the popularity of the famous “Protect the Dolls” created by London-based fashion designer Conner Ives. The viral shirts were seen worn by many other big influencers, and were used as a way to raise money and awareness for the Trans Lifeline.

Pedro is a part of the LGBTQIA+ community and is often seen outwardly protecting and supporting his trans sister, Lux Pascal.

As Pascal has said, “Equality is equality and to me a word that is not open to interpretation.”

We need more individuals like this in our current political climate.

Not only are queer people stepping forward, but other strong allies are using their voices to spread awareness for trans and queer individuals.

Sabrina Carpenter was seen using her 2025 VMA performance of “Tears” to support drag queens, artists, and the community. Not only did her performance include queer and trans performers, but also many signs of protest that read “dolls dolls dolls”; “protect trans rights”; “we are everywhere”; “for the theys and the gays”; “support local drag”; and “if you hate you’ll never get laid.” She has been seen time and time again vocally expressing her beliefs, by visibly protesting on stage through song, and donating over one million dollars through The Sabrina Carpenter Fund (collaborated through PLUS1).

So, if you ever question where she stands, you don’t have to.

With these people in the forefront of the fight for equal rights, it is more important than ever for us as a people in our everyday lives to do the same.

It shouldn’t just be up to actors or famous individuals; however, their support means everything.

We must educate ourselves, support our loved ones, and fight for the rights we know we deserve as a community. Because at the end of the day, trans people are people, queer people are people, and people deserve equal rights.

As we say at The Gay Agenda: Love is love, love has been love, and love will always be love.

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