Whether through legal name changes, graduation tributes, or simply listening, these celebrities have backed their transgender children with quiet resolve and powerful, public affirmation.
Each of these 11 celebrities has a child who came out as transgender, and each of them responded in their own way — through public statements, quiet acknowledgments, or legal action — to affirm their child’s gender identity.
Liev Schreiber and Naomi Watts attend the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and InStyle’s annual celebration of the Toronto International Film Festival on September 10, 2016 | Source: Getty Images
From courtroom filings to red carpet appearances, their choices reflect a deeper truth: for them, parenting comes before publicity. With cameras rolling and opinions flying, these high-profile families are quietly reshaping how the world sees love, identity, and what it means to show up.
Mel B pictured with her children, including Angel, dated April 3, 2025 | Source: Instagram/officialmelb
1. Angel Shares His Truth
Mel B and Eddie Murphy’s child, Angel, is now living openly as a trans man. The update appeared without fanfare on his personal social media profiles, where he changed his pronouns to “him.”
Phoenix Chi Gulzar, Mel B, Madison Brown, Giselle Belafonte, and Angel Iris Murphy Brown attend Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards on March 24, 2018 | Source: Getty Images
According to MailOnline, both parents have backed him with unwavering support. A source said there was no grand announcement, just Angel’s simple but powerful request: to be addressed correctly.
Mel B pictured with her son, Angel, dated April 3, 2025 | Source: Instagram/officialmelb
Angel poses for a selfie, dated September 16, 2025 | Source: Instagram/angel.mbrown
2. Liev Schreiber on Daughter Kai: ‘She Never Needed to Come Out’
Liev opened up about his daughter Kai in a May 2025 interview with Variety, revealing that she never formally came out to him or Naomi Watts.
Naomi Watts, Kai, Pete, and Liev Schreiber attend the “Kung Fu Panda 3” New York screening on January 16, 2016 | Source: Getty Images
Naomi Watts and Kai Schreiber are seen in Tribeca on October 10, 2012 | Source: Getty Images
Instead, she had long expressed her femininity in everyday life. For Schreiber, the turning point came when Kai asked them to use different pronouns — a moment he described as quiet, but meaningful.
Kai and Liev Schreiber pose at the opening night of the new play “Stranger Things: The First Shadow” on Broadway on April 22, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
Naomi Watts and Kai Schreiber attend Armani Beauty celebrating Luminous Silk Foundation and Concealer in NYC on June 18, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
3. Robert de Niro: ‘I Love All My Children’
Robert voiced his love and acceptance after his daughter Airyn came out as transgender.
Tookie Smith with Robert De Niro’s sons, Aaron and Julian, on November 6, 1998 | Source: Getty Images
Robert de Niro’s daughter, Airyn seen in a post dated April 4, 2025 | Source: Instagram/voiceofairyn
Speaking to Variety, he said, “I loved and supported Aaron as my son, and now I love and support Airyn as my daughter. I don’t know what the big deal is. I love all my children.”
Airyn seen in a post dated October 21, 2025 | Source: Instagram/voiceofairyn
Airyn celebrates her 30th birthday, from a post dated October 21, 2025 | Source: Instagram/voiceofairyn
4. Charlize Theron Knew the Moment Her Daughter Spoke
Charlize recalled a life-defining moment when Jackson, one of her two daughters, who had been assigned male at birth, told her at age three, “I am not a boy.”
Charlize and Jackson Theron with Sean Penn attend the GenerationOn West Coast Block Party on April 18, 2015 | Source: Getty Images
In a 2019 interview with the Daily Mail, Theron said her job as a parent is not to choose who her children become, but to stand beside them as they grow into themselves.
Charlize Theron poses with her daughters, Jackson and August, from a post dated September 26, 2020 | Source: Instagram/charlizeafrica
5. Jamie Lee Curtis Reveals Daughter Ruby’s Journey
Jamie revealed her child’s transition with permission and pride in a 2021 interview with AARP. She and husband Christopher Guest had witnessed their son become their daughter, Ruby.
Jamie Lee Curtis and son Thomas Guest attend Funimation Films Presents “One Piece Film: Gold” Theatrical Premiere on January 5, 2017 | Source: Getty Images
Curtis shared that she would be officiating Ruby’s wedding, calling the experience one of “pride and wonder.”
Jamie Lee Curtis poses for a photo with her husband Christopher Guest, and her daughters Ruby and Annie, during her hand and footprint ceremony in the courtyard of the TCL Chinese theatre on October 12, 2022 | Source: Getty Images
6. Fin Affleck Speaks His Name
At a memorial service in Charleston, West Virginia, in April 2024, the child of Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner stood at the podium and introduced himself to the room, saying, “Hello, my name is Fin Affleck.”
Jennifer Garner and Seraphina Affleck seen on October 8, 2011 in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
He then read from the Book of Proverbs. Once known publicly as Seraphina, Fin appeared with a fresh buzz cut. Two months earlier, paparazzi captured Jennifer hugging Fin at a Los Angeles school bus stop. Sporting the same buzz cut, the teen was carrying a backpack embroidered with his new name.
Emme Maribel Muniz and Seraphina Affleck leave “Into the Woods” Broadway musical at St. James Theatre on August 14, 2022 | Source: Getty Images
7. Cher on Chaz: ‘It Took Me a Minute, But He Was So Happy’
Cher got candid about her reaction to Chaz Bono’s transition in a 2020 interview with SheKnows. “Look, I didn’t handle [Chaz’s coming out] all that well in the beginning,” she said.
Cher, daughter Chastity Bono, son Elijah Blue Allman and sister Georgianne LaPierre attend “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” opening night performance on February 24, 1981 | Source: Getty Images
She added, “It took me a minute. Because you’ve been with a child for 40 years, and then all of a sudden … but you know what? Chaz was so happy!”
Cher and son Chaz Bono at ceremony where she is honored with a hand and footprint ceremony on November 18, 2010 | Source: Getty Images
8. Cynthia Nixon Introduces Her Son to the World
Cynthia marked her son’s transition with a proud graduation post on Instagram in June 2018. “I’m so proud of my son Samuel Joseph Mozes (called Seph) who graduated college this month [sic],” she wrote.
“I salute him and everyone else marking today’s #TransDayofAction. #TDOA,” she concluded. Seph, born Samantha, is Nixon’s son with Danny Mozes.
Samuel Joseph Mozes poses with his mother, Cynthia Nixon, from a post dated June 22, 2018 | Source: Instagram/cynthiaenixon
9. Dwyane Wade Files to Affirm Zaya’s Identity
In August 2022, Dwyane filed a legal petition to change his child’s name and gender from Zion Malachi Airamis Wade to Zaya Malachi Airamis Wade.
Dahveon Morris, Gabrielle Union, Zion, Dwyane, and Zaire Wade pictured on February 13, 2016 | Source: Getty Images
Because Zaya was a minor, Wade filed on her behalf — just one of many times he’s spoken openly and proudly about her identity and journey.
Gabrielle Union, Zaire, Zaya, and Dwyane Wade at the first annual When We Gather Food and Wine Festival in Overtown on October 26, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
10. Stephen Ira Beatty: ‘My Hero,’ Says Dad Warren
Once known as Kathlyn Elizabeth, Stephen Ira, the son of Warren Beatty and Annette Bening, transitioned at age 14 and has since become an outspoken writer and advocate.
Annette Bening and Warren Beatty pose with their children Kathlyn, Benjamin, and Isabel on October 26, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
In a 2016 interview with Vanity Fair, Beatty praised his son, saying, “He’s a revolutionary, a genius, and my hero, as are all my children.”
Stephen Ira Beatty, from a post dated July 31, 2024 | Source: Instagram/supermattachine
11. Dean McDermott Celebrates His Children at a Movie Premiere
Dean acknowledged his trans child and gay son during a June 2022 screening of his film “My Fake Boyfriend.”
Dean McDermott, Tori Spelling, and son Liam Aaron McDermott on April 19, 2007 | Source: Getty Images
Liam Aaron McDermott, from a post dated June 30, 2018 | Source: Instagram/liammcdermott2007
“The thing I love about this movie is I got to share it with my 15-year-old, who identifies as trans, and my gay son,” he said. “I love that they get a safe space to come and watch this.”
Jack and Liam McDermott, from a post dated June 13, 2022 | Source: Instagram/imdeanmcdermott
Dean McDermott poses with his children, from a post dated June 13, 2022 | Source: Instagram/imdeanmcdermott
These 11 public figures didn’t just offer lip service — they showed up for their children in ways that mattered. With legal filings, public affirmations, and personal courage, they’ve honored their kids’ truths as parents.
