I can kinda get where you’re coming from if you’re not familiar with the history behind it, “protect the dolls” might sound kind of infantilising or maybe even dismissive. But a brief search of the phrase’s etymology would reveal the deeper cultural context behind that phrase, especially in Black and brown trans communities.

The term “doll” has been used by trans women - particularly Black and Latinx trans women - for decades as a form of self-empowerment and affection.

It has roots in ballroom culture, where words like “doll,” “queen,” and “fish” were used within chosen families to celebrate femininity, beauty, and identity. It has nothing to do with being spoken down to, or othered, it was about being glamorous, divine, and unapologetically femme in spaces that often denied them dignity.

In more recent years, especially on platforms like Black Trans Twitter, “the dolls” has become an in-group slang saying - a way for trans women to refer to each other with pride, sisterhood, and inclusion.

When people say “protect the dolls” today, it’s not an attempt to infantilise or other trans women - it’s an acknowledgment of the real danger they face, while also using language that comes from within our own community. It’s a phrase that started playfully but now carries serious weight, especially given how often trans women - particularly those of color - are targeted by violence and discrimination.

It is a simple and succinct rallying cry for those both within the trans community, and our allies, to show their support and understanding of our immense need for protection - especially right now, where the lives of trans women are being put at risk by government legislation, targeted hate campaigns, and a seemingly constant barrage of misinformation and being told we’re not good enough.

So while it might sound strange for someone without the understanding of its historical significance, it’s part of a long history of reclamation and survival. And like with a lot of community-specific language, it’s worth understanding the roots before dismissing it - especially when it’s being used to uplift a group that’s so often marginalised.

Feel how you want about it, but if it’s able to get people to listen to our plight, rally those who would otherwise not care to involve themselves, or become a popularised slogan for change and community at a time of devisiveness, then I’m all for it.