Gayety

Tag: Trans Lifeline

  • Sniffies, Twinks, and Dolls Bring Kinky Chaos and $15K for Trans Lifeline

    Sniffies, Twinks, and Dolls Bring Kinky Chaos and $15K for Trans Lifeline

    Brooklyn Pride got a scandalous shot of adrenaline Saturday, June 28, as Sniffies, the unapologetically explicit cruising app threw its weight behind the wildly chaotic and wonderfully queer Twinks vs. Dolls showdown.

    Sniffies sponsors Twinks vs. Dolls, a wild NYC Pride showdown, and donates $15K to Trans Lifeline in support of trans lives.
    Photo: Sniffies
    Sniffies sponsors Twinks vs. Dolls, a wild NYC Pride showdown, and donates $15K to Trans Lifeline in support of trans lives.
    Photo: Sniffies

    What started as a cheeky alternative to the polished corporate Pride scene has turned into a full-blown cultural moment. With over 5,000 attendees pouring into the venue, the annual event delivered on its promise: messy, horny, and hilariously queer mayhem.

    From Monster Trucks to Glory Holes

    Forget rainbow floats and gentle affirmations, Twinks vs. Dolls is about maximalist queer joy and absolute camp carnage. This year’s players made their grand entrances via monster trucks and motorcycles (shoutout to Dykes on Bikes), revving up the crowd before a single twink or doll even touched the turf.

    Sniffies sponsors Twinks vs. Dolls, a wild NYC Pride showdown, and donates $15K to Trans Lifeline in support of trans lives.
    Photo: Sniffies
    Sniffies sponsors Twinks vs. Dolls, a wild NYC Pride showdown, and donates $15K to Trans Lifeline in support of trans lives.
    Photo: Sniffies
    Sniffies sponsors Twinks vs. Dolls, a wild NYC Pride showdown, and donates $15K to Trans Lifeline in support of trans lives.
    Photo: Sniffies

    The festivities began with a delightfully absurd car impression contest, but the real headline came courtesy of the Sniffies Suck Off. With two giant glory hole walls wheeled into the ring, contestants raced to deep-throat popsicles for team pride and audience approval. It was the Sniffies-sponsored Twinks who ultimately pulled ahead, tongue-first.

    A Kiddie Pool, Some Nacho Cheese, and a Whole Lot of Pride

    Just when you thought it couldn’t get messier, the finale brought out a kiddie pool full of nacho cheese for a no-rules wrestling match. Equal parts absurdist theater and queer catharsis, Twinks vs. Dolls has become a Pride essential: chaotic, defiant, and deliciously unserious.

    Sniffies Puts Its Money Where Its Mouth Is

    Beyond the camp and kink, Sniffies used the event to spotlight a deeper mission: supporting trans lives. The app donated $15,000 to Trans Lifeline, a grassroots organization offering crisis support and microgrants to trans people. Attendees also snatched up limited-edition jerseys (an estimated 500 sold), with 100% of proceeds going directly to the cause.

    It was messy. It was meaningful. And it was money well spent.

    If you’d like to donate to Trans Lifeline, you can do so here.

    About Sniffies

    Sniffies is a map-based cruising platform designed for gay, bi, and curious men to explore connection without shame. With real-time location features, intuitive tools, and no-holds-barred sexual expression, it’s become the go-to space for spontaneous and anonymous encounters, no swiping required. Learn more at sniffies.com.

  • Pedro Pascal, Troye Sivan, and More Rally Behind Viral ‘Protect the Dolls’ T-Shirt Raising $70k and Counting for Trans Rights

    Pedro Pascal, Troye Sivan, and More Rally Behind Viral ‘Protect the Dolls’ T-Shirt Raising $70k and Counting for Trans Rights

    What began as a bold runway moment at London Fashion Week has exploded into a full-on cultural movement. Conner Ives, the American-born, London-based fashion designer, has already raised $70,000 — and counting — through pre-sales of his now-iconic “Protect the Dolls” T-shirt. And yes, it hasn’t even shipped yet.

    The real kicker? Every cent is going to Trans Lifeline, a non-profit organization that provides peer support, direct aid, and life-saving services for transgender people across the United States.

    A Fashion Statement That Speaks Volumes

    The tee first turned heads in February when Ives himself wore it during his runway bow at the close of his Fall 2025 show at London Fashion Week. The designer stretched the shirt with both hands as he greeted the crowd, underlining the slogan and its deeper meaning.

    The shirt’s message — both literal and symbolic — instantly resonated.

    Just a day later, Ives announced via Instagram that the “Protect the Dolls” T-shirt would be available for pre-order, with 100% of proceeds going to Trans Lifeline.

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by Conner Ives (@connerives)

    “After the groundswell of support for the ‘Protect the Dolls’ tee, we will be putting the T-shirt up on our website for pre-order,” Ives wrote in a February 25 post. “Resources like this are now more important than ever, given the hostility and oppression the federal government has adapted towards trans people in America.”

    He added, “I would not be where I am without the support I have been given by the dolls, so this is the least I could ever do to say thanks.”

    Celebrities Are On Board — Loud and Proud

    Soon after, a handful of celebrities helped the tee break the internet — in the best way possible.

    Pedro Pascal, known for his roles in “The Mandalorian” and “The Last of Us,” wore the shirt while celebrating his 50th birthday with DJ and music producer Honey Dijon. A snap from the celebration made its way online, and the message spread like wildfire.

    Then came Troye Sivan, who brought the shirt to one of the world’s biggest stages — literally. While crashing Charli XCX’s Coachella 2025 set to perform their “Talk Talk” remix, Sivan rocked the tee in front of a global audience streaming live on YouTube. Later, he posted a backstage shot on Instagram alongside Lorde and Billie Eilish, who also joined Charli for her surprise-packed set.

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by troye sivan (@troyesivan)

    And let’s not forget Haider Ackermann, the newly appointed creative director at Tom Ford. The Colombian-born French designer was seen wearing the shirt in a photo with actress Tilda Swinton — a moment that Ives gleefully reshared on his own social accounts.

    From Runway to Reality

    The buzz around the shirt hasn’t slowed down. On April 15, Ives reflected on the shirt’s unexpected journey in another Instagram post.

    “I never had any idea what this would turn into, what we would be able to do with the printing of a tee,” he wrote. “Couldn’t be more proud of everyone that made this possible — the early adopters (Haider, Pedro, Troye), the stylists that connected the dots (and bought the tees! No press loans here), and the hordes of people that have donated to @translifeline.”

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by Conner Ives (@connerives)

    He added that the first round of shipments was going out that week, and thanked fans for their patience.

    Fashion With a Purpose

    The shirt has become more than a wardrobe staple — it’s a badge of solidarity and support during a critical time for the trans community.

    Trans Lifeline, the nonprofit benefiting from the T-shirt’s sales, is a trans-led organization that provides a crisis hotline, microgrants, and a network of peer support. Their mission is rooted in survival, empowerment, and building a more equitable future for trans people — something Ives clearly aligns with.

    The “Protect the Dolls” T-shirt is available for purchase at connerives.com. And if you’re wondering — yes, it’s still flying off the digital shelves.

  • Paul Feig Donates $300,000 to LGBTQ+ Youth Advocacy Groups Amid Rising Anti-Trans Policies

    Paul Feig Donates $300,000 to LGBTQ+ Youth Advocacy Groups Amid Rising Anti-Trans Policies

    Paul Feig, the director of A Simple Favor and Bridesmaids, along with his wife Laurie, has donated $300,000 to three major LGBTQ+ youth advocacy organizations: The Trevor Project, Trans Lifeline, and It Gets Better. The donation comes at a time when the LGBTQ+ community, especially transgender individuals, is facing increasing threats to their rights and protections.

    In an exclusive statement to Variety, Feig expressed his concern over recent attacks on the LGBTQ+ community, particularly transgender people. “In recent weeks we have witnessed the dismantling of crucial protections for the health and safety of the LGBTQ+ community and, particularly, the transgender community,” Feig said. “I can’t sit idly by and watch as my friends, colleagues and the LGBTQ+ community as a whole — our fellow citizens — are stripped of their rights.”

    The donation follows reports that the Trump administration is enforcing policies that remove transgender troops from the U.S. military and has eliminated references to transgender people and gender-affirming care from official government websites and databases. LGBTQ+ rights organizations and activists have filed legal challenges to these policies.

    The Trevor Project, one of the organizations benefiting from the donation, provides a suicide prevention hotline for LGBTQ+ youth, while Trans Lifeline offers emotional and financial support to transgender individuals in crisis. It Gets Better works to uplift and empower LGBTQ+ youth by amplifying stories of queer adults and providing resources for young people worldwide.

    Myles Markham, Director of Development at Trans Lifeline, emphasized the significance of Feig’s donation, especially given the current climate. “In a year where anti-trans sentiment and federal marginalization is at an all-time high, support and generosity for our community from powerful storytellers like Paul couldn’t be more timely or valuable,” Markham said. “Contributions like this not only mean critical services will reach more folks in need, but they also send a message of hope and possibility.”

    Kevin Wong, Senior Vice President of Marketing at The Trevor Project, highlighted the urgency of the donation. “Every 45 seconds, at least one LGBTQ+ young person in the U.S. attempts suicide. This gift will bolster our crisis counselors’ ability to support the increase in young people who are reaching out with fears about how the current barrage of negative political news will impact their lives,” Wong said.

    It Gets Better’s Executive Director, Brian Wenke, also expressed gratitude, noting that Feig’s contribution would further their mission to support LGBTQ+ youth. “Paul’s storytelling has long resonated with our community, a reminder that representation isn’t just visibility — it’s power,” Wenke said. “With this support, we remain focused on building a world where LGBTQ+ young people feel seen, supported, and can recognize their own limitless potential.”

    Feig’s recent contributions come as he prepares for the release of his latest film, Another Simple Favor, which will premiere at the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in Austin on March 7. The film will be available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video starting May 1. Feig also has another project, The Housemaid, starring Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried, set for release during the holiday season.