Actor Don Cheadle may play a super hero in Marvel's Avengers movies, but last night he proved he’s pretty ‘heroic’ in real life.
While handling guest-host duties for Saturday Night Live, Cheadle made a costume change before introducing this week’s musical guest, Gary Clark Jr.
As the cameras returned from commercial break, Cheadle was revealed wearing a t-shirt with the message, “Protect Trans Kids.”
Simple. Straightforward. No other words necessary.
In a world where trans youth see themselves (and other transgender people) under attack on multiple levels, from bullying at school to wondering if they can use a bathroom that aligns with their gender identity to the Trump administration’s proposed ban on trans military service members, trans kids need every hero they can get.
And Don Cheadle stepped up.
The Twitterverse loved it.
#ProtectTransKids, a reminder from the hero himself @DonCheadle https://t.co/0Ka15pITBw
— Janet Mock (@janetmock) February 17, 2019
God bless Don Cheadle. Nothing but respect for MY Rhodey #SNL #ProtectTransKids pic.twitter.com/KtOiJXzotQ
— Rachel || (@whydyouhave2BOO) February 17, 2019
Don Cheadle for ever pic.twitter.com/SnbTxpGrLn
— rhea butcher (@RheaButcher) February 17, 2019
@DonCheadle I'm transgender and have friends working on #SNL. Thank you for wearing a #ProtectTransKids shirt on tonight's broadcast. You just climbed up the #Avengers rankings in my book and if you ever make it to Chicago for a con or I see you at a film fest, I'll say thanks.
— Danielle Solzman is going to SXSW (@DanielleSATM) February 17, 2019
Hey @DonCheadle, as a trans woman, I can't emphasize enough how much it means to see you do this on SNL. Thank you for standing strong with trans children. It means the world. <3 https://t.co/MrsAyDNEso
— Charlotte Clymer (@cmclymer) February 17, 2019
don cheadle is wearing a shirt that says "protect trans kids."
i seriously love this man.
— fooler initiative (@metroadlib) February 17, 2019
Fuck. Yes. @DonCheadle, you’re a god damn saint and I love you forever.
– Signed, someone who wishes she had people standing up for her when she was a kid. pic.twitter.com/qirjWLKzj1
— Jamie Neal (@TheJamieNeal) February 17, 2019
Thank you Don Cheadle for using your visibility to stand up for trans youth and being an ally to #ProtectTransKids. #SNL pic.twitter.com/fcPYCQylRt
— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) February 17, 2019
PROTECT TRANS KIDS
When heroes like @DonCheadle use their platform to acknowledge the humanity of (and the unfair discrimination against) trans kids,
lives are saved
It’s that simple https://t.co/NZr703bnOe— jeffrey marsh (@thejeffreymarsh) February 17, 2019
The award-winning actor also made a none-to-subtle, silent statement at the end of the show wearing a Soviet Union hockey jersey with the word "Trump" emblazoned on the back with the number "45" (Donald Trump is the 45th president of the U.S.)
Don Cheadle wore a Soviet Union hockey jersey with “Trump” and “45” on the back at the end of SNL after hosting. Shade level: Masterful pic.twitter.com/hrDjPRulXy
— Adam Best (@adamcbest) February 17, 2019
Cheadle woke up to the Twitter-love and responded tweeting, "To each and every one of you beautiful tweeps. i awoke to so much support and love!! thank you @nbcsnl for the opportunity to play and pay respect and throw shade in an historic space in an historic time. keep fighting, y'all. evil grows in the dark."
to each and every one of you beautiful tweeps. i awoke to so much support and love!! thank you @nbcsnl for the opportunity to play and pay respect and throw shade in an historic space in an historic time. keep fighting, y'all. evil grows in the dark.
— Don Cheadle (@DonCheadle) February 17, 2019
