Bronwyn Newport Says Real Housewives Receive “Gender-Affirming Care” and Must Stand With LGBTQ+ Community
The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star Bronwyn Newport is quickly becoming one of the franchise’s most outspoken advocates for LGBTQ+ rights. At this year’s BravoCon, Newport used her platform to address the escalating political attacks on transgender people and to call out a longstanding truth within the Real Housewives world: cosmetic procedures — heavily embraced by the franchise — are a form of gender-affirming care.
Newport Connects Housewives’ Plastic Surgery to Gender-Affirming Care
Speaking with The Advocate’s Ricky Cornish on the BravoCon red carpet, Newport reminded fans and her fellow Housewives that cosmetic procedures are a normalized part of the franchise — and that trans people deserve the same uninhibited access to care.
“Nobody gets more gender-affirming care than the Housewives,” Newport said. She encouraged viewers to hold their favorite cast members accountable, adding, “If your favorite housewife is not standing up for the community, especially the trans community, you need to DM them the way people DM me about the things I do wrong. Push them to stand up for your rights, especially now.”
Her candid comments immediately generated buzz online. Social media users praised Newport for being direct, humorous, and unwavering in her support. Many fans called her a “style icon,” while others celebrated her as one of the franchise’s strongest LGBTQ+ allies.
Newport’s History of Trans and LGBTQ+ Advocacy
This is far from Newport’s first public stance in defense of trans rights. In December, she participated in a protest outside the U.S. Supreme Court as justices heard U.S. v. Skrmetti, a case concerning Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth. The law was ultimately upheld, intensifying national debate.
On Instagram, Newport explained her decision to protest: “I want to be there in solidarity, support and to send a clear message that I feel these bans are cruel, unconstitutional and must end.” In another post, she emphasized, “Gender-affirming care is just healthcare. The same way any parent should be able to access life-saving care for their child, so should the parents of trans individuals.”
Her message echoes the arguments of LGBTQ+ advocates and even lawmakers. Last year, California Congresswoman Sara Jacobs pointed out that breast augmentation and other cosmetic procedures widely accepted among cisgender people are also forms of gender-affirming care. Her remarks drew backlash from some Republican Representatives, including South Carolina’s Nancy Mace, who criticized her on the House floor.
“Protect the Dolls”: SLC Cast Joins Newport’s Chant at BravoCon
During a fan panel featuring the full Real Housewives of Salt Lake City cast, an attendee referenced Newport’s viral comments and asked the women to lead a “Protect the Dolls” chant — a phrase associated with supporting trans women, often used within ballroom and queer culture.
The Salt Lake City cast enthusiastically joined in. Lisa Barlow, Meredith Marks, Whitney Rose, and others repeated the chant alongside Newport, who had recently worn a “Protect the Dolls” T-shirt on Watch What Happens Live! Her participation further solidified her reputation as one of the franchise’s most vocal LGBTQ+ allies.
Kyle Richards Opens Up About Her Own Sexuality at BravoCon
LGBTQ+ visibility at BravoCon wasn’t limited to Newport. Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Kyle Richards also made headlines for candid comments about her evolving understanding of her own sexuality.
Speaking with Variety, Richards reflected on a moment in the Season 15 trailer where she joked, “I could go Brad, I could go Angelina.” She told the outlet, “I am growing and evolving, and my mind has opened up. I don’t know what the future holds now, and I’m fine with that.”
When interviewers playfully noted that they were both lesbians, Richards admitted she had never previously considered women part of her dating pool. “That would never have crossed my mind before — ever — and now I’m like, that’s totally an option,” she said. “Whatever happens, happens, and I’m good with that.”
A Turning Point for Bravo’s LGBTQ+ Engagement?
Bronwyn Newport’s strong message at BravoCon reinforces what many fans have long hoped for: that reality TV stars with large platforms will continue to advocate for marginalized communities. By reframing cosmetic procedures as gender-affirming care and urging fellow Housewives to speak out, Newport is pushing the franchise into more socially conscious territory.
Her stance — paired with the cast’s enthusiastic “Protect the Dolls” chant and Kyle Richards’ openness about her own journey — suggests that LGBTQ+ visibility and solidarity are becoming more central within the Bravo universe.
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Bronwyn Newport, Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, gender affirming care, LGBTQ+ allies, trans rights, BravoCon 2025, Housewives plastic surgery, Protect the Dolls, U.S. v. Skrmetti protest, Kyle Richards sexuality, Bravo LGBTQ support
