The past decade has been devastating for transgender and gender-expansive people in the U.S. According to the 2024 Human Rights Campaign Foundation report, nearly 400 trans and nonbinary people were killed, with 1 in 10 victims under 21. Amid rising anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, public figures supporting their trans and nonbinary children offer both visibility and hope.
A light amidst this darkness is the love and hope that parents can give their children who may struggle to find their voice and identity. Parents advocating and standing up for their trans and nonbinary kids transforms their lives and sets such a significant example to the public how we show up for our loved ones. It’s incredible to see parents in the lime light show that unwavering love and compassion and for some, seeing that at home can start conversations and ignite the start to changes that can have a huge impact.
From the red carpet to social media, these 13 celebrity parents use their platforms to show unwavering love and advocacy for their kids.
Marlon Wayan
Comedian Marlon Wayans often talks about parenting trans son Kai in interviews and on stage. He describes his journey as moving from ignorance to acceptance. “As a parent, I just want my kids to be free… free to be themselves,” Wayans said. During Pride Month 2024, he responded to online hate with defiance: “Zero f*cks what people think… How can you love anyone when you’re too busy judging?”
Sting
Sting shares a nonbinary child, Eliot Sumner, with wife Trudie Styler. Eliot prefers to be identified as a musician rather than by gender. “We should treat everybody the same. I don’t like to be put down to a specific thing,” Sumner said in 2015. Sting consistently supports this approach, prioritizing identity over labels.
Cher
Cher has spoken candidly about the early challenges of supporting her son Chaz Bono’s transition. “It took me a minute… but Chaz was so happy!” she said in 2020. Cher uses analogies to help other parents understand the experience, emphasizing empathy and unconditional support.
Annette Bening and Warren Beatty
Their eldest, Stephen Ira, came out as a trans man in 2012. Both parents praise his literary and creative talents. Bening called him “incredibly brilliant,” while Beatty described him as “a revolutionary, a genius, and my hero.” Stephen’s work has appeared in the Paris Review, Fence, and other literary outlets.
Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union-Wade
Since daughter Zaya Wade came out in 2020, the couple has been vocal LGBTQ+ advocates. “Zaya, you’ve made me a better human just by being who you were born to be,” Wade said during the 2023 NAACP Image Awards. Union-Wade added, “We love all our kids out loud… we do not believe in any kind of shaming for existing.”
Jennifer Lopez
In June 2022, Lopez celebrated twin Emme Maribel Muñiz with gender-neutral pronouns at a concert. She called the moment “a very special occasion” and highlighted performing with her children as a way to show love and affirmation, even while keeping their lives mostly private.
Charlize Theron
Theron publicly supports trans daughter Jackson while shielding her from media scrutiny. “She looked at me when she was three years old and said: ‘I am not a boy! So there you go!’” Theron told the Daily Mail in 2019. She emphasizes using correct pronouns and letting her children share their story on their own terms.
Sade
Singer Sade’s son publicly documented his transition, expressing gratitude for his mother’s support. “Thank you for staying by my side these past 6 months Mumma… The purest heart. I love you so much. Queen of queens,” he said, highlighting the bond between parent and child.
Heather Dubrow
Heather Dubrow has three children in the LGBTQ+ community and emphasizes open, ongoing conversations about identity. Her daughter Max is bisexual, Kat is a lesbian, and her son Ace is transgender. Dubrow publicly announced Ace’s name and pronouns to protect him from misgendering, showing her commitment to advocacy and love.
Dubrow describes her parenting style as creating a safe space where her kids can express themselves freely. She focuses on giving them the tools to navigate the world while respecting their individuality, stressing that challenges often come from adults’ biases, not from the children themselves.
Marcia Gay Harden
Harden, mother of three queer and trans children, expressed her love during the 2023 Drag Isn’t Dangerous telethon. “What drives me is because it’s right and what’s happening right now is wrong… They teach me every day,” she said, celebrating her children’s identities.
Naomi Watts and Liev Schreiber
Watts and Schreiber are vocal supporters of trans daughter Kai. In December 2023, Watts posted a birthday message calling Kai “my sweet little angel” and celebrating her dynamic spirit. Schreiber shared the same message, emphasizing love and encouragement for Kai’s journey.
Sigourney Weaver
Weaver spoke about her nonbinary child Char in 2023, who teaches digital storytelling and pursues academic interests. “They are not at all interested in Hollywood,” Weaver said, highlighting support for her child’s personal and professional choices beyond fame.
Jamie Lee Curtis
Oscar winner Jamie Lee Curtis is the proud mother of her trans daughter, Ruby, and has become a vocal advocate for trans rights. On Trans Visibility Day 2023, she shared a heartfelt message on Instagram: “Love is love. A mother’s love knows no judgment… On this trans visibility day my daughter and I are visible.”
Curtis has used her platform to push back against anti-trans legislation, vowing to support not only her daughter but all trans kids across the country. She even officiated Ruby’s wedding in full cosplay, proving her support comes with both passion and playfulness.
A Lesson in Visibility and Love
While celebrity advocacy alone cannot solve the wave of anti-LGBTQ+ bills, these parents provide examples of acceptance, love, and courage. They remind us that trans and nonbinary children are not abstract issues, they are real lives and families who perform daily acts of bravery.
