Cynthia Nixon Reveals Trans Son Is on Hunger Strike for Gaza, Says He’s ‘Doing Everything He Can’

“Sex and the City” star Cynthia Nixon has revealed that her 28-year-old transgender son, Seph Mozes, is participating in a hunger strike in Chicago to protest the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The move marks another chapter in Nixon’s increasing activism around the Israel-Palestine conflict — an issue that has sharply divided public opinion across political and generational lines.

Speaking with Newsweek, Nixon said Mozes, who was born biologically female and formerly known as Samantha Mozes, is currently fasting alongside five others in solidarity with Palestinians, under the banner of Jewish Voice for Peace — an anti-Zionist Jewish organization that advocates for Palestinian rights.

“He and five other of his compatriots are doing a hunger strike in Chicago [since] Monday, for Gaza,” Nixon told the outlet. Their motto, she added, is: “Stop starving Gaza, stop arming Israel.”

A Personal Mission

Nixon, 58, said her son — an observant Jew and graduate of the University of Chicago — feels deeply connected to the cause, not only because of his faith and political beliefs but also because of his family’s history.

“His paternal grandparents are Holocaust survivors,” Nixon explained. “I think that informs a lot of his activism. He doesn’t have illusions that he’s going to end the war, but I think he wants to do everything he can.”

Describing Mozes as “a smart person with his ear to the ground,” Nixon emphasized that his hunger strike is not meant to be performative, but rather part of a wider effort to highlight the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza — particularly the growing food insecurity and lack of access to basic resources in the war-torn region.

Hunger Strike: A Growing Form of Protest

The hunger strike, which began Monday in Chicago, is part of a broader wave of demonstrations organized by pro-Palestinian and anti-war activists across the U.S. in recent months. According to University of Chicago professor and activist Eman Abdelhadi, the fast is intended to last indefinitely or until their demands for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid are addressed.

Local media in Chicago confirmed that a small group of protesters, including Mozes, are staging their fast outside a prominent downtown federal building, drawing attention from passersby and sparking heated debate online.

This isn’t the first time the Nixon family has taken such action. Back in November 2023, Cynthia Nixon herself joined a hunger strike outside the White House, calling for an immediate ceasefire and an end to U.S. military aid to Israel. At the time, she stood alongside state legislators and community leaders who had also begun fasting.

“I went on hunger strike for two days. Others stayed the full five,” Nixon told Newsweek. “We were all demanding one thing: that the U.S. stop fueling this war.”

The Gaza Crisis: Why They’re Protesting

The situation in Gaza has worsened dramatically since the onset of renewed conflict late last year. According to humanitarian agencies, the region is facing a mounting refugee crisis, a collapsed healthcare system, and severe shortages of food, clean water, and electricity.

While some international bodies have called for temporary pauses in fighting to allow aid convoys through, many activists — including Mozes and Nixon — argue that only a permanent ceasefire can ensure long-term safety and survival for civilians.

“Starvation is being used as a weapon,” said a Jewish Voice for Peace spokesperson in a press release. “We are demanding that our government stop supporting policies and weapons that lead to this suffering.”

Nixon’s Political Voice Grows Louder

Long known for her acting roles on television and Broadway, Nixon has become an increasingly visible political voice in recent years. Her 2018 gubernatorial bid in New York saw her challenge Democratic incumbent Andrew Cuomo from the left, championing rent control, public education reform, and LGBTQ+ rights.

Since then, Nixon has used her platform to advocate for progressive causes — often taking bold positions that set her apart from many in the Hollywood establishment. Her recent statements on Israel-Palestine have received both praise and backlash, particularly as she aligns with controversial groups like Jewish Voice for Peace, which opposes Zionism.

Critics argue that such groups ignore the security threats faced by Israelis and risk emboldening Hamas and other militant factions. Supporters counter that these protests are crucial in shining a light on the daily suffering of Palestinians, especially women and children.

A Family Defined by Activism and Identity

Nixon has spoken openly and proudly about her son’s transition in the past. She first introduced Seph to the public in 2018, posting a heartfelt message for Trans Day of Action. “I’m so proud of my son Samuel Joseph Mozes (called Seph), who graduated college this month and came out as trans earlier this year,” she wrote at the time.

That sense of pride continues today, not only for who her son is but also for what he’s willing to do for a cause he believes in.

“It takes a lot of courage,” Nixon said. “To put your body on the line, to endure discomfort and risk, because you believe in something bigger than yourself — that’s what real activism looks like.”

As the hunger strike in Chicago continues, it remains to be seen what impact it will have. But for Nixon and her son, it’s clear the goal isn’t immediate political victory — it’s moral clarity, solidarity, and a refusal to stay silent.